Hotter summers are not just uncomfortable, they also changing the odds of getting sick from food. A new analysis links warmer air, higher moisture, specific dewpoint ranges, and longer daylight to spikes in Salmonella infections across two European countries. 



The team showed that risk climbs when average temperatures rise above about 50°F and days stretch past 12 to 15 hours.



Lead author <a href="https://www.londonntd.org/research/researchers/laura-c-gonzalez-villeta" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Laura C. González Villeta</a> of the University of Surrey’s <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-veterinary-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Veterinary Medicine</a> led work that tied laboratory confirmed Salmonella cases to local weather conditions using a transparent statistical approach.



The bacteria called Salmonella cause <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15697-salmonella" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food poisoning</a> that often brings diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Common symptoms usually start within hours to a few days and most people recover without treatment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmonella-and-the-weather">Salmonella and the weather</h2>



Researchers linked daily case counts from the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Health Security Agency</a> to detailed weather from the <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Met Office</a>, then checked the model with national surveillance data from the Netherlands. 



They examined 14 factors, including temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, sunshine, and dewpoint temperature.



Instead of forcing a complex equation to fit the data, the group calculated a conditional incidence that directly describes how often cases occur when specific combinations of weather are present. 



That method lets you see which trio of conditions lines up with higher infection counts without hiding the signal inside a black box.



The approach showed consistency when moved from one country to another after accounting for reporting differences. That matters because public <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/to-get-fit-and-stay-healthy-walk-this-exact-distance-every-day/">health</a> tools work best when they travel across borders without losing accuracy.



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



Risk rose when average air temperatures topped roughly 50°F, day length sat between 12 and 15 hours, and dewpoint hovered around the mid 40s to about 50°F. The same pattern appeared regardless of location.



Not every weather knob seemed important. Wind speed, air pressure, and sunshine duration had little or no association with reported cases in this dataset.



Seasonal peaks in late summer were reproduced when the model fed on local weather. That gave officials a way to anticipate risk based on last week’s skies rather than waiting for lab reports to trickle in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-weather-boosts-salmonella">How weather boosts Salmonella</h2>



Broader evidence lines up with these findings. A large <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11530612/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meta-analysis</a> of 23 Salmonella studies found about a 5 percent rise in risk for every 1.8°F increase in temperature.



Europe’s outbreak history shows why this topic matters. In 2018, nearly one in three foodborne outbreaks in the European Union were caused by Salmonella, according to an EFSA <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/salmonella-most-common-cause-foodborne-outbreaks-european-union" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>.



That baseline risk has not disappeared in recent years. Surveillance summaries still identify Salmonella as a leading cause of foodborne outbreaks across the region, with eggs and mixed foods often involved, as noted in EFSA’s public <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/7666" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publication</a>.



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



“The study highlights how weather plays a significant role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-are-overlooked-sources-of-antibiotic-resistant-salmonella/">Salmonella</a> outbreaks and provides a valuable tool for predicting future risks and tailoring interventions, particularly in the context of climate change,” said Dr. Villeta. The work is not just about describing patterns.&nbsp;



Weather aware forecasting can help agencies time inspections, target hygiene messaging, and plan surge capacity when the odds of illness tick up. 



Food businesses can also adjust cold chain checks, staff training, and consumer advice when riskier conditions line up.



Individuals are not powerless either. Keep cold foods cold, cook poultry and eggs to safe temperatures, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, and wash hands and surfaces, especially when the air is warm and the day runs long.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-tech-forecasting-tools">High-tech forecasting tools</h2>



Most forecasting tools lean on regression or time series fits that struggle with tangled, non linear interactions. 



The conditional incidence approach shows how combinations of temperature, humidity, and daylight align with cases, which is easier to interpret and to explain.



That clarity helps separate what drives risk from noise. It also allows public health teams to identify factor combinations that do not explain much, saving effort where it will not pay off.



Model outputs replicated real world peaks and mapped risk at fine spatial scales. That is the level where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-shapes-their-mental-health-as-teens/">health</a> departments and food producers make day to day choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limits-and-next-steps">Limits and next steps</h2>



The model tracks reported cases, which understate total infections. Even so, de trending and validation across two countries suggest the weather signals are real.



Future tests in different climates and income settings would show how far the method travels. Adding data on livestock density, land use, and consumer behavior could sharpen predictions without losing transparency.



Better early warnings do not replace basic food safety, but they can make those steps more timely. That is useful as warmer summers and longer heat seasons become more common.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(25)00004-0/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Infection</a>.



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Warmer weather is impacting global food supply, but not in the way you think

Hotter summers are not just uncomfortable, they also changing the odds of getting sick from food. A new analysis links warmer air, higher moisture, specific dewpoint ranges, and longer daylight to spikes in Salmonella infections across two European countries. The team showed that risk climbs when average temperatures rise above about 50°F and days stretch past 12 to 15 hours. Lead author Dr. Laura C. González Villeta of the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine led work that tied laboratory confirmed Salmonella cases to local weather...

As the world witnesses the impacts of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-shelves-will-struggle-to-recover-from-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming climate</a>, Antarctic ice shelves face a precarious future. Recent research led by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (<a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIRES</a>) has uncovered alarming evidence on how these ice structures are not just bending under pressure but are actively fracturing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-shelves-under-pressure">Ice shelves under pressure</h2>



Floating ice shelves in Antarctica act as critical barriers, holding back glacier ice from spilling into the ocean. However, when air temperatures rise, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-arctic-glaciers-are-releasing-a-new-source-of-potent-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting glacier</a> ice forms pools on these shelves, significantly weighing them down. 



This increased weight causes the ice to bend and, as newly observed, to fracture dramatically. Such fractures can lead to the eventual collapse of these ice shelves, further exacerbating sea level rise - a concerning prospect for global coastal regions.



Alison Banwell, a CIRES scientist at the Earth Science and Observation Center and lead author of a recent study, emphasized the critical role of ice shelves in maintaining the stability of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-was-more-dynamic-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic Ice Sheet</a>. 



"Ice shelves are extremely important for the Antarctic Ice Sheet’s overall health as they act to buttress or hold back the glacier ice on land," Banwell explained.



This study, which marks the first field-based observation of its kind, confirms longstanding theoretical models that predicted the susceptibility of ice shelves to fracturing due to surface meltwater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-ice-shelves-fracturing">Antarctic ice shelves fracturing</h2>



Banwell, along with her team from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>, and <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>, conducted field research on the George VI Ice Shelf, located on the Antarctic Peninsula. 



In November 2019, the team set up camp around a known depression in the ice, a site prone to collecting meltwater. Equipped with high-precision GPS stations, water-pressure sensors, and a timelapse camera system, they meticulously recorded the changes occurring on the ice surface.



Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team resumed their work in November 2021. They found that the remaining instruments had captured significant ice movements and the formation and drainage of a meltwater lake during the record-high melt season of 2019/2020. 



The data revealed that the ice in the lake's center flexed downward by approximately a foot due to the weight of the accumulated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-glacial-meltwater-sea-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meltwater</a>, while the horizontal distance between the lake's edge and center also increased, indicating the formation and widening of circular fractures on the ice shelves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-shelves-fractures-and-chain-reaction-of-collapse">Ice shelves fractures and chain reaction of collapse</h2>



These observations provide crucial insights into the mechanics of ice shelf disintegration. "This is an exciting discovery," Banwell stated. "We believe these types of circular fractures were key in the chain reaction style lake drainage process that helped to break up the Larsen B Ice Shelf." 



Her reference to the abrupt collapse of Larsen B in 2002, which saw thousands of meltwater lakes abruptly drain, underscores the potential for similar events to occur if current trends continue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-insights-and-global-implications">Practical insights and global implications</h2>



The results of this research are not just academic; they have practical implications for improving models that predict the stability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ice-shelves-are-dwindling-at-a-startling-pace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ice shelves</a>. 



By understanding the specific conditions that lead to ice shelf fracture, scientists can better forecast which shelves are most vulnerable to collapse. This knowledge is vital for anticipating the impacts of these collapses on global sea levels.



Furthermore, as the evidence mounts, the urgency to address the underlying causes of climate change becomes even clearer. 



Antarctic ice shelves serve as a stark reminder of the broader environmental challenges that lie ahead, and the need for sustained scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship to mitigate these global threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Antarctic ice shelves&nbsp;</h2>



Antarctic ice shelves are massive floating platforms of ice that form where the continent’s ice sheets meet the sea. These shelves are fed by the slow flow of glaciers and thick ice from the interior of Antarctica. They are critical components of the Earth's climate system because they act as barriers that regulate the flow of ice into the ocean.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stability of ice shelves&nbsp;</h3>



When ice shelves are stable, they slow down the discharge of ice from glaciers. However, if they thin or break up, this can lead to a faster flow of ice into the ocean, which contributes to sea-level rise.



The stability of ice shelves is influenced by both atmospheric and oceanic temperatures. Warmer air can melt the surface of the shelves, while warmer ocean currents can erode their underbellies.&nbsp;



This dual assault can make them vulnerable to break-up and disintegration. Events like the dramatic collapses of the Larsen A and B ice shelves in 1995 and 2002 respectively, highlight the susceptibility of ice shelves to changing climate conditions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ecological role</h3>



Moreover, Antarctic ice shelves are also important for their ecological role. The underside of these ice platforms supports a unique ecosystem that includes algae, krill, and various fish species, which in turn are crucial for larger predators like whales and seals.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Polar research&nbsp;</h3>



Scientific studies of these ice shelves are crucial for understanding not only the mechanisms of their change but also the broader implications for global sea levels and climate feedback loops. As such, they are a focal point of polar research, often involving satellite monitoring, field expeditions, and advanced climate modeling.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/observed-meltwaterinduced-flexure-and-fracture-at-a-doline-on-george-vi-ice-shelf-antarctica/EAAD863418F572E9F5DF781FF85EFD77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Glaciology</a>.



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Antarctic ice shelves are fracturing from meltwater weight

As the world witnesses the impacts of a warming climate,...

In the mid-20th century, the ocean off the Los Angeles coast became a disposal site for significant quantities of the pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), due to the activities of the largest DDT manufacturer in the nation.&nbsp;



This chemical, notorious for its persistent toxicity, continues to impact the marine environment of L.A. more than 50 years later. Although legal at the time, the full scale of this pollution at an offshore dump site near Catalina Island, 15 miles offshore, only came to broader public attention in 2020, raising substantial concern among scientists and the public alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-chemicals-in-deep-sea-fish">DDT chemicals in deep-sea fish</h2>



Recent findings from researchers at UC San Diego’s <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a> and <a href="https://www.sdsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Diego State University</a> (SDSU) have shown that deep-sea fish and sediments near the Catalina Island dump site are still laden with DDT-related chemicals, indicating that DDT-related chemicals discarded into the ocean decades ago continue to influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-restructures-marine-food-webs-in-unexpected-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine food webs</a>.



Since the rediscovery of this dump site near Catalina Island, scientists have endeavored to determine the current scope and severity of the contamination. It remains a critical concern whether these old chemicals, now settled on the ocean floor, are confined to the seabed or are circulating through marine ecosystems, potentially endangering wildlife and human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-contamination-in-marine-food-webs">DDT contamination in marine food webs</h2>



“These are deep-sea organisms that don’t spend much time at the surface and they are contaminated with these DDT-related chemicals,” said co-author Lihini Aluwihare, a professor of ocean chemistry at Scripps.&nbsp;



“Establishing the current distribution of DDT contamination in deep-sea food webs lays the groundwork for thinking about whether those contaminants are also moving up through deep-ocean food webs into species that might be consumed by people.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-montrose-chemical-corporation">Montrose Chemical Corporation</h2>



From 1948 to at least 1961, barges hired by Montrose Chemical Corporation would journey from the Port of Los Angeles towards Catalina, discharging waste containing sulfuric acid and up to 2% pure DDT directly into the Pacific.&nbsp;



This practice, which was legal until 1972, largely went unnoticed, overshadowed by another disposal method used by Montrose: discharging a more dilute acidic slurry that also contained DDT into the ocean off Palos Verdes through L.A. County sewers.&nbsp;



The Palos Verdes Shelf, where an estimated 100 tons of DDT accumulated in sediments, was declared an underwater Superfund Site by the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Protection Agency</a> in 1996, and in 2000, Montrose was ordered to pay $140 million for environmental restoration.&nbsp;



Research has linked DDT pollution in this area to health issues in local sea lions, dolphins, bottom-feeding fish, and even coastal California <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/california-condors-are-threatened-by-organic-contaminants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">condors</a>, likely affected by consuming contaminated marine animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toxic-legacy-of-offshore-dumping-nbsp">Toxic legacy of offshore dumping&nbsp;</h2>



The rediscovery of Montrose’s offshore dumping near Catalina, now known as Dumpsite 2, was made by <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Barbara</a> researcher David Valentine using an undersea robot. This discovery gained significant public exposure in 2020 through a series of investigative reports by the Los Angeles Times, highlighting the toxic legacy of offshore dumping in the region.



Valentine and Scripps researchers have since mapped extensive DDT contamination across an area of the seafloor larger than San Francisco. The ongoing challenge is to determine whether this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-pollution-threatens-the-health-of-more-than-three-billion-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> remains localized or if it is migrating through the marine environment in ways that could harm aquatic life or humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extent-of-the-ddt-contamination-nbsp">Extent of the DDT contamination&nbsp;</h2>



In 2021, Aluwihare, SDSU’s Eunha Hoh, and their team began addressing two crucial questions: Are the DDT-related chemicals on the seafloor near Dumpsite 2 entering the food chain? Can they develop a unique chemical fingerprint for the contamination from Dumpsite 2 to distinguish it from pollution emanating from the Palos Verdes Shelf?



Sediment and deep-sea animal samples collected near Dumpsite 2 revealed the presence of an extensive array of DDT-related chemicals, previously identified in the blubber of dolphins off Southern California’s coast. This broader spectrum of DDT compounds, known as DDT+, is critical for understanding the full extent of contamination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-related-compounds-in-fish">DDT-related compounds in fish</h2>



Analysis of these samples showed that 215 fish across three species near Dumpsite 2 contained 10 DDT-related compounds, all present in the sediment samples.&nbsp;



Two fish species were collected from depths between 546 meters (1,791 feet) and 784 meters (2,572 feet), and a third species ranged from these depths up to the surface. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fish</a> from shallower waters had lower contaminant levels and lacked two of the DDT-related compounds found in deeper-dwelling fish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-were-the-fish-exposed-to-ddt">How were the fish exposed to DDT?</h2>



“None of these fish species are known to feed in the sediment of the seafloor. There must be another mechanism that is exposing them to these contaminants,” said co-author Anela Choy, a biological oceanographer at Scripps.&nbsp;



“One possibility is that physical or biological processes are resuspending sediments around Dumpsite 2 and allowing these contaminants to enter deeper water food webs.”



While it’s not yet possible to definitively exclude the Palos Verdes Superfund Site as a contamination source, the study’s findings - including the specific contaminants identified and their distribution across different species and depths - suggest that pollution from the seafloor could be infiltrating the marine food chain.



“This is evidence that DDT compounds are making their way into the deep ocean food web,” said lead author Margaret Stack, an environmental chemist at SDSU. “That is cause for concern because it’s not a big leap for it to end up in marine mammals or even humans.”



This “will help us figure out what to do as far as mitigation and what not to do in terms of offshore development that could make this problem worse by stirring up these contaminants,” Hoh added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



Aluwihare highlighted the need for further research to identify the source of the DDT contaminants found in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-deep-sea-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep-sea fish</a> and to determine whether similar contamination affects larger, open-ocean fish species consumed by people.



As the investigation continues, the researchers are analyzing samples from fish species targeted by recreational anglers and commercial fisheries, including basses and sanddabs. Comparing these findings with sediment samples from the Palos Verdes Shelf and Dumpsite 2 may help pinpoint the source of the toxins.



“We are still seeing this DDT contamination in deep-sea organisms and ocean sediments more than 50 years after they were dumped there. I’m not sure if that company expected the consequences of their pollution to last this long, but they have,” Hoh concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters</a>.



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Toxic legacy: Decades-old DDT found in deep sea fish

In the mid-20th century, the ocean off the Los Angeles...

In many American homes, the familiar hiss of a gas stove ignites more than just family meals - it sparks a series of health concerns due to the emission of <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/tracking-nitrogen-dioxide-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen dioxide</a> (NO2).



Recent research highlights the significant impact this gas can have on indoor air quality, revealing that even bedrooms can become saturated with harmful levels of pollutants shortly after cooking, and these levels can linger for hours.



"I didn’t expect to see pollutant concentrations breach health benchmarks in bedrooms within an hour of gas stove use, and stay there for hours after the stove is turned off," noted Professor Rob Jackson, a senior researcher at the <a href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>. 



This revelation confirms that the issue extends beyond the kitchen, affecting the air quality throughout the entire home.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks-of-gas-stoves-and-nitrogen-dioxide-exposure">Health risks of gas stoves and nitrogen dioxide exposure</h2>



The health implications of prolonged exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves are severe and multifaceted. Consistent inhalation of NO2 can exacerbate asthma symptoms, hinder lung development in children, and even contribute to premature mortality. 



The study, which also included insights from researchers at the Central California Asthma Collaborative, PSE Healthy Energy, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, estimates that up to 200,000 cases of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-asthma-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">childhood asthma</a> may be linked to gas stove emissions. A significant portion of these asthma cases are directly attributable to nitrogen dioxide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quantifying nitrogen dioxide exposure levels</h2>



Study lead author Yannai Kashtan, a PhD student specializing in Earth System Science, pointed out that the quantity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gas-stoves-release-more-harmful-nanoparticles-than-vehicle-exhaust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas</a> used during cooking is the predominant factor influencing NO2 exposure levels in homes.



Kashtan noted that the effectiveness and usage of range hoods play crucial roles in mitigating exposure. "We found that just how much gas you burn in your stove is by far the biggest factor affecting how much you’re exposed. And then, after that, do you have an effective range hood – and do you use it?" 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mortality-rates-associated-with-no2-exposure">Mortality rates associated with NO2 exposure </h2>



The research team employed advanced sensors and modeling techniques to measure and analyze NO2 levels in over 100 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-gas-stoves-in-homes-is-worse-for-your-health-than-secondhand-smoke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">homes</a> of varying sizes and layouts. 



The findings indicate that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide in homes with gas stoves may cause thousands of deaths each year - comparable to the mortality rates associated with secondhand smoke.



“Assuming that meta-analyses of outdoor NO2 and all-cause adult mortality may be applied to long-term exposure to indoor NO2, our analysis suggests that long-term NO2 exposure from gas and propane stoves in the United States may be responsible for up to 19,000 deaths annually,” wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nationwide-consequences-of-indoor-air-pollution">Nationwide consequences of indoor air pollution</h2>



On a broader scale, the typical use of propane or gas stoves in the U.S. is likely to increase household NO2 levels significantly, nearly reaching unsafe limits set by the World Health Organization for outdoor air. 



"That’s excluding all outdoor sources combined, so it makes it much more likely you’re going to exceed the limit," said Kashtan, highlighting the gravity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/gas-stoves-create-dangerous-levels-of-indoor-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">indoor pollution</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socioeconomic-and-demographic-disparities">Socioeconomic and demographic disparities</h2>



The study also sheds light on disparities in NO2 exposure based on household size and demographic factors. Smaller homes, often less than 800 square feet, and those in poorer or minority communities face disproportionately higher levels of indoor pollution. 



"People in poorer communities can't always afford to change their appliances, or perhaps they rent and can't replace appliances because they don't own them," noted Jackson. This issue is compounded in smaller homes, where residents breathe in more pollution for the same amount of stove use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaner-home-energy-solutions">Cleaner home energy solutions</h2>



This research not only advances our understanding of indoor air pollution from gas stoves but also emphasizes the need for effective ventilation and perhaps a reconsideration of fuel sources in homes. 



Electric stoves, for instance, offer a cleaner alternative, emitting no NO2 or other harmful pollutants like benzene. 



"It’s the fuel, not the food. Electric stoves emit no nitrogen dioxide or benzene. If you own a gas or propane stove, you need to reduce pollutant exposures using ventilation," said Jackson.



The findings from this comprehensive study illustrate the critical need for awareness and action in addressing indoor air pollution. They also call for a reassessment of household energy choices to safeguard public health, particularly among vulnerable populations.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adm8680" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>. 



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Gas stoves emit unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide

In many American homes, the familiar hiss of a gas...

A recent study has unveiled a concerning trend in the traditionally damp landscapes of Africa. Over an 18-year span, the number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twenty-years-of-air-quality-improvement-erased-by-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> has alarmingly doubled in Africa's wet forests, especially in the vast Congo Basin. 



The uptick in fire activity in these regions mirrors similar increases observed in other wet forests globally, including the U.S. Pacific Northwest and the Amazon. 



This pattern indicates a shift in the ecological dynamics of these areas, underscoring the urgent need to reevaluate the susceptibility of wet forests to fires.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-trends-in-africa-s-wet-forests">Fire trends in Africa’s wet forests</h2>



The study represents the first extensive examination of fire incidents in West and Central Africa’s lush, tropical forests. 



Utilizing satellite imagery, the researchers tracked active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/historic-fires-impact-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a> from 2003 to 2021, discovering a clear rise in fire frequency, particularly in the Northwest Congolian Lowland Forests. By 2021, the number of fires per 10,000 square kilometers surged by 400 annually.



"There were several areas with strong trends of increasing fire, mainly in the Congo Basin. In contrast, there were almost no locations where fire was decreasing," wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-human-activity-on-wet-forest-fires">Impact of human activity on wet forest fires</h2>



Traditionally, fires in Africa's wet forests were thought to be minor, especially when compared to those in drier woodlands and savannas. The lack of comprehensive research left many questions about the characteristics and drivers of these fires unanswered.



The escalation of fires in wet forests is deeply connected to human activities, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a>. This not only reduces forest cover but also fragments the remaining forested areas, increasing their susceptibility to fires. 



Consequently, these human-driven changes foster drier conditions particularly at the forest edges, where the majority of fires tend to ignite. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weather-patterns-and-wet-forest-fires">Weather patterns and wet forest fires</h2>



Furthermore, the experts identified a pronounced correlation between the occurrence of fires in these wet forests and weather patterns, particularly high temperatures and vapor pressure deficits, which are indicative of elevated plant water stress levels.



A particularly compelling discovery was the impact of the 2015-2016 "super El Niño" event, which intensified heat and drought conditions in these regions, subsequently leading to a noticeable increase in fires. 



"I was surprised at how strong and clear the climate signal was," said Michael Wimberly, an ecologist at the University of Oklahoma who led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-future-forest-management">Implications for future forest management</h2>



The implications of these findings are profound. As global climate patterns continue to evolve, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forest-land-sometimes-gets-cleared-for-nothing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical forest</a> fires are likely to increase in frequency and intensity, posing significant challenges to conservation efforts and biodiversity. 



Wimberly emphasized the necessity of rethinking how we view the relationship between climate change and fire in tropical forests. "Tropical forest fires have been long overlooked, but they're only going to become more important in the future. We can't ignore them any longer."



This pivotal study calls for an integrated approach to managing fire risks, particularly by controlling fires at the edges of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-global-forest-loss-has-been-caused-by-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> to prevent the destructive feedback loops that increase vulnerability to further fires. 



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



The research underscores the need for enhanced monitoring and intervention strategies that can mitigate the impact of fires on some of the world’s most critical wet forest ecosystems.



The findings from the study not only expand our understanding of the ecological dynamics of wet forests but also serve as a call to action for policymakers, researchers, and conservationists worldwide to address the emerging threats posed by climate change and human influence on these vital habitats.



“Fires are likely to continue increasing as temperatures become hotter and human populations grow and expand, and they will have negative impacts on carbon storage as well as biodiversity and human livelihoods derived from forest resources,” wrote the study authors.



“To date there has been limited research on fire in African forests, and more work is needed to understand how ENSO and other climate modes influence regional patterns of fire risk; assess the impacts of increasing fire on carbon dynamics, biodiversity, and forest resources; and develop more effective strategies for predicting fire danger and preventing destructive wildfires.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL106240" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Africa's wet forests have seen an alarming rise in wildfires

A recent study has unveiled a concerning trend in the...

To secure the future of crucial intertidal areas and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-all-of-the-worlds-salt-marshes-may-be-underwater-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salt marshes</a> along our coastlines, increasing the turbidity of the water is vital, according to a recent study conducted by a team of Dutch and Chinese researchers. 



“These natural areas outside our dikes are essential for nature and coastal defense. But because of how we are now building in the Delta and the hinterland, coastal defense is endangered in the long term,” said Tim Grandjean, a postdoctoral fellow in estuarine and delta systems at the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research</a> (NIOZ). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-turbidity-and-intertidal-areas-nbsp">Water turbidity and intertidal areas&nbsp;</h2>



The experts utilized decades of satellite measurements of tidal regions globally, correlating them with turbidity data also obtained via satellite monitoring. This analysis helped them establish a critical minimum turbidity needed for delta waters worldwide.&nbsp;



The findings revealed a clear long-term relationship: intertidal growth is contingent on sufficient water turbidity. “After all, turbid water means more sand and silt particles in the water, which can allow the coast to grow,” Grandjean explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerability-of-tidal-flats-nbsp">Vulnerability of tidal flats&nbsp;</h2>



Globally, the clarity of many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-waters-bury-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal waters</a> has been improving for decades, which paradoxically leads to the vulnerability of tidal flats. Moreover, with sea levels rising, maintaining these flats requires even higher turbidity. 



The current low turbidity levels pose a significant threat to critical biodiversity areas and coastal safety since tidal flats serve as vital foraging grounds for birds and contribute significantly to wave attenuation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impacts-on-intertidal-areas-nbsp">Human impacts on intertidal areas&nbsp;</h2>



The study underscores the need for a reevaluation of human impacts on delta regions, stressing the importance of strategic planning in coastal development to safeguard these vital ecosystems. Thus, we have to think more carefully about how human activities affect the coast, on which we rely for our safety.&nbsp;



Large-scale infrastructural projects like the Three Gorges Dam on China’s Yangtze River have drastically reduced downstream sediment supply, essential for the nourishment and maintenance of tidal flats.&nbsp;



Similarly, in the Netherlands, constructions such as the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier have led to significant reductions in sand deposition, causing the water to become clearer and less capable of supporting intertidal zones, leading to erosion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-nature-conservation-and-coastal-protection-nbsp">Balancing nature conservation and coastal protection&nbsp;</h2>



“In the long run, this is not sustainable. When too much intertidal area disappears outside the dikes of Zeeland, the safety of the complete coast is at stake. So not only for nature, but also for safety, we must begin to protect the areas outside the dikes much more effectively,” said Grandjean.



“The water has to become murkier, so we may have to consider dismantling the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier in the future. A careful balance between nature conservation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-based-solutions-improve-coastal-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal protection</a> is essential, ensuring that both goals strengthen rather than counteract each other.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamics-of-intertidal-coastal-areas-nbsp">Dynamics of intertidal coastal areas&nbsp;</h2>



The study also involves innovative techniques developed at NIOZ workshops for measuring the dynamics of intertidal zones, providing crucial insights into their short-term vulnerabilities.&nbsp;



“The dynamics of intertidal areas can be measured with very expensive sensors or with labor-intensive, manual measurements. However, this way, we could never collect data in many different places at the same time,” said Grandjean.



“The technicians at NIOZ developed sensors that were cheap enough to record the height of the bottom to the millimeter, several times a day, at different locations along the Western and Eastern Scheldt for several years now.”



The precise data collected shows that an intertidal zone's height can fluctuate by one or two centimeters within a single tidal cycle. “For you or me, a centimeter more or less under our boots may not matter, but if you are a worm or a mussel, or a seed of eelgrass, that is indeed too much dynamics,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spacing-between-groynes-nbsp">Spacing between groynes&nbsp;</h2>



Grandjean's further studies into the spacing between groynes - structures built out from coasts as part of coastal management or to protect against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-erosion-is-picking-up-speed-across-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">erosion</a> - by the province of Zeeland show that these also enhance the habitat quality along the Westerschelde by reducing dynamic changes, allowing for better settlement of benthic animals. 



“Of course, we already knew that these groynes, along rivers and coasts, can protect, but our measurements show that benthic life along the Westerschelde also benefits from these measures. The dynamics decrease enough in time and space for benthic animals to settle better,” he said.&nbsp;



Moreover, the flow reduction between the groynes could help stabilize intertidal coastal areas over the long term and mitigate rising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-sea-levels-spiked-dramatically-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level</a> effects. However, continued research is crucial to fully understand these dynamics and their long-term impacts on coastal ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01431-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Water turbidity helps protect coastal ecosystems

To secure the future of crucial intertidal areas and salt...

The relatively obscure locations of Cowee Creek, Brabazon Range, and Upper Pederson Lagoon have recently become significant for their experience with lake tsunamis - a growing phenomenon primarily noted in Alaska and British Columbia, driven by the effects of climate change on mountain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-fueling-earthquakes-in-alaska/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a>.



Lake tsunamis are typically triggered by landslides that plunge into small, often remote bodies of water. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-lake-tsunamis-nbsp">Potential for lake tsunamis&nbsp;</h2>



While most lake tsunamis have occurred away from populous areas, geologist Bretwood Higman from <a href="https://groundtruthalaska.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ground Truth Alaska</a> warns of the potential for such events to impact more inhabited locations, particularly Portage Lake near Whittier.



According to Higman, places like Eklutna, Seward, Valdez, Juneau, Grewingk Lake in Kachemak Bay State Park, and Index Lake near Glacier View also carry significant tsunami risk with human activity and infrastructure.



During the <a href="https://meetings.seismosoc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seismological Society of America (SSA)’s 2024 Annual Meeting</a>, Higman highlighted the necessity of monitoring such locations for potential lake tsunamis, particularly through the lens of unique seismic signals that landslides often produce.



“There are some cases where there are dramatic and very distinctive precursory seismic signals that precede a catastrophic landslide, sometimes by as much as days,” Higman explained. “If we could get to the point where we understood these and knew how to detect them, they could be really useful.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-conditions-enhance-risks">Warming conditions enhance risks</h2>



Labeling lake tsunamis as an “emerging, climate-linked hazard,” Higman detailed how geological conditions that foster such events are generally consistent across different locales.&nbsp;



The melting of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-unleash-invasive-species-into-unexpected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a>, exacerbated by rising temperatures, weakens the support they provide to adjacent valley walls, increasing their susceptibility to landslides into either existing water bodies or new lakes formed from the glacial melt. 



Additionally, warming conditions contribute to the degradation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-permafrost-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost</a> that stabilizes mountain slopes, further enhancing risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-frequent-lake-tsunamis-nbsp">More frequent lake tsunamis&nbsp;</h2>



The phenomenon has been observed more frequently in recent years, with the 2020 Elliot Creek tsunami in a British Columbian glacial valley serving as a stark example.&nbsp;



This event involved a landslide that displaced 18 million cubic meters of earth and caused tsunami waves that ran up more than 100 meters, devastating local forest and salmon habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-future-lake-tsunamis-nbsp">Preparing for future lake tsunamis&nbsp;</h2>



Although lake tsunamis currently affect less populated areas, Higman and his colleagues are using the data gathered from such incidents to develop preparedness strategies for potentially affected communities with significant infrastructure.&nbsp;



The researchers are studying geological instabilities similar to those that have led to past tsunamis, hoping to mitigate risks for densely populated regions.



Finally, Higman suggests that examining these massive landslide events could offer insights into tectonic fault behaviors, providing a smaller-scale model for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-music-will-yellowstones-seismic-activity-produce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seismic activities</a> more broadly. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-lake-tsunamis-nbsp">More about lake tsunamis&nbsp;</h2>



Lake tsunamis, also known as seiches, are large waves or series of waves generated in enclosed or semi-enclosed bodies of water like lakes, bays, or reservoirs.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-causes">Causes</h3>



Unlike oceanic tsunamis that are commonly caused by seismic activity (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides), lake tsunamis often result from sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, strong winds, or rapid displacement of water caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fatal-landslides-human-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">landslides</a> or large objects falling into the lake.



The phenomenon occurs when the water in a lake is pushed from one end to the other, piling up and then oscillating back and forth until it loses energy and stabilizes. 



These oscillations can be amplified by the shape of the lake, especially if it is long and narrow, which can cause the wave heights to increase significantly as they travel back and forth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lake-michigan-nbsp">Lake Michigan&nbsp;</h3>



One famous historical example of a seiche occurred in 1954 at Lake Michigan, where strong winds and rapid changes in atmospheric pressure resulted in waves that reached up to 10 feet high, causing substantial damage along the Chicago waterfront. 



Another notable instance happened in Switzerland's Lake Geneva in the 6th century, triggered by a massive rockfall.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-risks">Significant risks</h3>



Although lake tsunamis are less common and generally less destructive than their oceanic counterparts, they can still pose significant risks to those living near or on bodies of water, especially in regions prone to sudden meteorological changes or seismic activity. 



Precautions and early warning systems can help mitigate the impact of such events, enhancing safety for communities in vulnerable areas.



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Lake tsunamis are an emerging climate-linked hazard

The relatively obscure locations of Cowee Creek, Brabazon Range, and...

A team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.uco.es/internacional/extranjeros/en/">University of Cordoba</a> (UCO) has recently undertaken a comprehensive study to analyze the blooming patterns in oak trees of the Quercus genus in Andalusia and their implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-allergies-will-be-intensified-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">allergy season</a>, particularly in light of climate change. 



This research, conducted by the Systemic and Applied Botany group, focused on the impact of global warming on the flowering times and pollen production of various oak species, using data on pollen concentrations collected across Andalusian capitals.



“We chose Quercus because it is the most representative tree in Andalusia in the natural environment, and it is an anemophilic tree (pollinated by the wind) found where there are very high concentrations of pollen in the atmosphere, so it is a good bioindicator to study the impact of climate change on blooming,” said co-author Pura Alcázar, a botanist at UCO.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oak-trees-and-more-intense-allergy-seasons">Oak trees and more intense allergy seasons</h2>



The findings indicate a shift towards longer and more intense pollen seasons for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-oak-tree-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quercus species</a>, including holm, cork, common, Portuguese, and kermes oaks. 



“Fundamentally, there has been an increase in the blooming of these species, and in their intensity, because there is a higher concentration of pollen in Andalusia,” Alcázar explained. Notably, the season starts earlier for species like the holm oak, which are more temperature-sensitive, leading to an extended pollen season overall. However, variations were noted, such as in Granada, where the expected earlier onset did not occur, likely due to pre-spring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> during the study period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-factors-and-allergy-season-nbsp">Climate factors and allergy season&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers attribute these changes directly to climate factors such as rising temperatures and increased CO2 levels, which not only prompt earlier blooming but also enhance the intensity of the pollen seasons. “Plants need CO2 to photosynthesize; if more is available, they are more active,” Alcázar said, highlighting the dual impact of temperature and CO2 on plant behavior.



While Quercus pollen is not traditionally considered a major allergen, its increasing presence and the prolongation of its season could heighten its impact on those with sensitivities.&nbsp;



“If we are increasingly exposed and our immune system is more sensitive, the same thing can happen with other species, such as the cypress, which years ago featured harmless pollen, and now represents the main problem in terms of winter allergy,” added senior author Carmen Galán, a professor of botany at UCO.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gauging-the-duration-of-pollen-season">Gauging the duration of pollen season</h2>



The data for this study were collected using volumetric devices that capture air samples to measure daily pollen concentrations. This methodology is critical for accurately gauging the onset and intensity of pollen seasons and for ensuring that the findings are comparable with other studies.



Ultimately, this research, part of the CLIMAQUER project, highlights the necessity of a standardized approach to defining and calculating pollen seasons to ensure consistency across different studies and to better understand the evolving challenges posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-pollen-may-help-clouds-form-impacting-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> on public health related to pollen allergies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-oak-trees">More about oak trees</h2>



Oak trees are a diverse group of trees and shrubs known for their strength, longevity, and distinctive hardwood. They are primarily found in the northern hemisphere, thriving in a range of habitats from cool temperate to tropical regions in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Oak trees are ecologically significant, providing essential habitats and food sources for various wildlife species through their acorns and leaves.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-oak-trees">Types of oak trees</h3>



Oaks can be either deciduous or evergreen, depending on the species and the climate of their environment. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deciduous-trees-can-offset-carbon-emissions-from-forest-fires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deciduous oaks</a> shed their leaves annually, while evergreen oaks retain their foliage year-round, which can be a survival advantage in less fertile soils or drier climates. The leaves of oak trees are typically lobed and vary in size and shape among species, contributing to their widespread identification.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wood-of-oak-trees-nbsp">Wood of oak trees&nbsp;</h3>



The wood of oak trees is highly valued for its density and durability, making it a popular choice for furniture, flooring, and barrel-making, particularly in the wine and whiskey industries where oak barrels are prized for imparting flavor. Oak wood is also used in construction due to its resistance to fungal and insect attacks.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-role-nbsp">Ecological role&nbsp;</h3>



Ecologically, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/should-we-cut-down-all-the-oak-trees-a-disturbing-discovery-makes-this-question-plausible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oaks</a> play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Their acorns are a vital food source for many animals, including birds, mice, and larger mammals like deer and bears. Oaks also form a complex root system that helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion and promoting water quality in watersheds by filtering rainwater and reducing runoff.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10113-023-02181-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regional Environmental Change</a>.



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Oak trees show that allergy season is becoming longer and more intense 

A team of researchers led by the University of Cordoba...

In the hustle of college life, where the pressure is constantly on, students often find themselves battling with several mental challenges. Birdwatching, a simple yet effective solution to stress and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-issues-have-increased-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health issues</a>, may just be right outside the windows of many college students. A recent study sheds light on how this activity can help.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birdwatching-and-mental-mends">Birdwatching and mental mends</h2>



The study highlights that actively participating in nature activities, especially birdwatching, substantially enhances mental wellness and decreases <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychological-distress-increases-the-risk-of-long-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychological distress</a>. This discovery is particularly promising for college students, who often face high levels of mental health issues. 



Engaging with birds and natural environments is a valuable tool for young adults to improve their overall psychological state. Birdwatching may provide a much-needed source of relief in their stressful academic and personal lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-impact-on-well-being">Nature's impact on well-being</h2>



Conducted by a team of environmental and forestry researchers, the study compared the mental health outcomes of different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-time-in-nature-improves-physical-and-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature-based activities</a>. To do this, they structured an experiment where participants were categorized into three distinct groups. 



The first group participated in regular guided nature walks, the second group engaged in organized birdwatching sessions, and the third group, serving as the control, did not partake in any structured natural interactions.



To measure the impact of these activities on mental health, the researchers employed the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). This index is a straightforward survey tool that prompts individuals to evaluate their current state of well-being by reflecting on their recent emotions and feelings. The objective was to obtain a clear measurement of each participant's mental well-being through their personal assessments.



In addition to the WHO-5, the study also utilized the STOP-D questionnaire. This tool is specifically designed to gauge psychological distress. It provided a crucial data set that helped the researchers identify and compare levels of stress and distress across the three groups. 



By integrating both the WHO-5 and the STOP-D questionnaire, the study aimed to offer a comprehensive analysis of how different nature-based interventions could influence mental health outcomes among the participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-benefits-of-birdwatching">Unique benefits of birdwatching</h2>



The findings were quite illuminating. While all groups showed improvements in their WHO-5 scores, those who participated in birdwatching reported more significant gains in well-being and greater reductions in distress than those who simply took walks or were in the control group.



Nils Peterson, the study's corresponding author and a professor of Forestry and Environmental Resources at <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a>, emphasized the importance of these findings. 



"There has been a lot of research about well-being during the pandemic, suggesting adolescents and college-aged individuals are struggling the most," noted Peterson. He highlighted the ubiquity of birdwatching and its accessibility on college campuses, even in urban areas, as a significant advantage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-birdwatching-in-mental-well-being">Role of birdwatching in mental well-being</h2>



The study's results are particularly compelling because they offer a contrast to previous research, which often compared natural sounds to more stressful urban noises. 



"One of the studies we reviewed in our paper compared people who listen to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birdwatching-boosts-alaskas-economy-by-hundreds-of-millions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bir</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-presence-of-birds-can-improve-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ds</a> to people who listened to the sounds of traffic, and that’s not really a neutral comparison,” said Peterson. 



This study used a neutral control, providing a clearer picture of the benefits of positive engagement with nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



The implications of this research are vast. Not only does birdwatching serve as an effective tool for improving mental health among college students, but it also opens many avenues for further research. 



Future studies could explore why birdwatching has such a positive impact on mental health and how factors like race, gender, and other demographic elements might moderate its effects. For students and educational institutions, this study provides a compelling case for promoting birdwatching and similar activities. 



By integrating more nature-based experiences into their daily routines, students may find a powerful ally in their ongoing battle with stress and mental health issues. 



Birdwatching, with its ease of access and profound impact, could indeed be a key strategy for enhancing student well-being on campuses across the globe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494424000793?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Psychology</a>.



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Birdwatching can significantly improve students' mental health

In the hustle of college life, where the pressure is...

While pollution often evokes images of plastics or oil spills, a more insidious threat lurks in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changes-baltic-sea-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baltic Sea</a>. Thallium, a highly toxic heavy metal, is increasing, and human activities are the prime suspect. A recent study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>) reveals the extent of this contamination, raising serious ecological concerns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thallium-the-underestimated-pollutant">Thallium: The underestimated pollutant</h2>



Thallium, despite being less widely recognized than heavy metal hazards like lead and mercury, possesses a potent toxicity that demands attention. 



Historically, thallium found employment in various industries, including the production of rodenticides and electronic components. As awareness of the severe health risks associated with thallium exposure grew, its use in industrial settings has significantly diminished. 



Nonetheless, the legacy of past practices, combined with ongoing releases from certain industries, continues to pose a threat to both human health and the delicate balance of ecosystems. Even trace amounts of thallium can have far-reaching and damaging consequences, making it a persistent environmental concern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baltic-sea-and-thallium">Baltic Sea and thallium</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-methane-leaks-discovered-in-the-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baltic Sea</a> possesses several unique characteristics that make it acutely susceptible to the damaging effects of pollution. As a semi-enclosed body of water, its limited exchange with the open ocean leads to slower dilution of contaminants, allowing them to linger and accumulate for extended periods. This stagnation exacerbates the impact of pollutants on the sea's delicate ecosystem.



The Baltic Sea is already under significant environmental stress due to human activities. Oxygen depletion, known as hypoxia, poses a major threat with widespread consequences for marine life and the health of the overall ecosystem. 



The introduction of thallium pollution compounds this existing crisis. Thallium's toxic properties and potential for bioaccumulation add a new dimension of danger to the Baltic's already compromised state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-disturbing-timeline">A disturbing timeline</h2>



The WHOI study exposes a deeply concerning reality: human activity plays a dominant role in the rising levels of toxic thallium entering the Baltic Sea ecosystem. This pollution trend is both alarming and undeniable.



Study lead author Chadlin Ostrander conducted the study as a postdoctoral investigator in WHOI's Department of <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/what-we-do/understand/departments-centers-labs/mcg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry</a>.



"Humans are releasing a lot of thallium into the Baltic Sea, and people should be made aware of that. If this continues - or if we further change the chemistry of the Baltic Sea in the future or if it naturally changes - then more thallium could accumulate. That would be of concern because of its toxicity," said Ostrander.



The research explicitly links the significant release of toxic thallium with human actions. The evidence shows that our activities directly impact the health of the Baltic Sea. Moreover, the study pinpoints a sharp increase in thallium entering the Baltic Sea, starting around 1947. This surge highlights the environmental consequences of the rapid industrial expansion that followed World War II. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-thallium-pollution-in-baltic-sea">Significant thallium pollution in Baltic Sea</h2>



The research data strongly suggests that industries such as cement production and coal combustion play a significant role in thallium pollution. This underscores the environmental burden accompanying industrial activities.



The study's most concerning revelation is that 20-60% of thallium buildup in the Baltic Sea ecosystem can be attributed to human activity. This massive contribution highlights the urgent need to understand the potential repercussions of this contamination. These findings paint a sobering picture of our impact on the Baltic Sea. 



They further emphasize the need for proactive strategies to mitigate thallium release, alongside research to better understand the long-term consequences of this toxic heavy metal's presence in a fragile marine environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thallium-in-the-baltic-sea-leads-to-sulfide-paradox">Thallium in the Baltic Sea leads to sulfide paradox</h2>



The story of thallium in the Baltic Sea takes an unexpected turn when we consider the sea's widespread hypoxic zones, areas with extremely low oxygen levels. These oxygen-depleted regions create a unique situation.



When oxygen is scarce, chemical compounds called sulfides become more prevalent in the water. These sulfides have a strong affinity for thallium, acting like a natural trap. Thallium readily binds with sulfides, effectively getting locked away in the seafloor sediments.



This natural process of thallium sequestration by sulfides offers a temporary reprieve. However, researchers caution that disturbing this delicate balance could have dire consequences.



Efforts to improve the Baltic Sea's health by addressing hypoxia, while well-intentioned, might inadvertently trigger the release of trapped thallium. If the oxygen levels in the water were to rise significantly, the chemical bond between thallium and sulfides could weaken, potentially causing a surge of thallium back into the water column.



Such a scenario could lead to a significant increase in the amount of freely circulating thallium in the Baltic Sea. This, in turn, would pose a much greater threat to marine life as thallium becomes more bioavailable, meaning it can more easily enter the food chain and accumulate in organisms.



This complex interplay between hypoxia and thallium contamination highlights the need for a nuanced approach to environmental remediation in the Baltic Sea. Addressing one issue must be done with careful consideration of potential secondary effects on other environmental factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thallium-s-path-through-the-food-web">Thallium's path through the food web</h2>



One of the most insidious aspects of thallium contamination is its potential to bioaccumulate. This means that organisms absorb thallium from their environment, but their bodies have limited ability to excrete it. As a result, the toxic metal builds up within their tissues over time.



The food chain amplifies the threat of thallium:



<ul>
<li>Tiny organisms like algae and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/phytoplankton-transform-the-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plankton</a> can absorb thallium directly from the water. These primary producers form the base of the Baltic Sea food web.</li>



<li>Small fish consume algae and plankton, ingesting the accumulated thallium. Due to bioaccumulation, the concentration of thallium within the fish's tissues increases as they feed throughout their lives.</li>



<li>Predatory fish higher in the food chain then eat these smaller fish, leading to an even greater concentration of thallium in their bodies. Humans, as potential consumers of these fish, face the risk of ingesting significant levels of this toxic metal.</li>
</ul>



The bioaccumulative nature of thallium poses a multi-faceted threat. High thallium levels in fish can cause illness or death, disrupting marine populations and destabilizing the intricate web of predator and prey relationships.



Consumption of contaminated seafood can have significant and potentially long-term health consequences for humans, as thallium's toxicity can lead to a range of neurological and developmental problems.



The increase in thallium in the Baltic Sea necessitates vigilant monitoring and careful assessment of its potential effects on the ecosystem and its implications for human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-warning">Global warning</h2>



"We predict, based on activities in the region, that the source of the thallium pollution is historic cement production in the region. As cement production continues to rise globally, this research could serve to caution manufacturers about the need to mitigate potential downstream effects of cement kiln dust on surrounding aquatic and marine ecosystems," said study co-author Colleen Hansel, a senior scientist in WHOI's Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-loss-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baltic Sea</a> is not unique. Thallium contamination could be happening in other coastal regions near industrial activities. This study highlights the urgent need for stricter environmental monitoring and proactive pollution control, particularly in the context of growing industries like cement manufacturing.



The increase in thallium levels in the Baltic Sea is a stark reminder of humanity's footprint on the environment. It demonstrates how a legacy of past practices and ongoing industrial activities can have unforeseen, long-term consequences for delicate ecosystems. 



Further research is crucial for identifying mitigation strategies, protecting the Baltic Sea, and raising awareness of the underappreciated threat of thallium pollution worldwide.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.4c01487" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Toxic thallium levels are rising in the Baltic sea

While pollution often evokes images of plastics or oil spills,...

The health of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-coral-reef-symbiotic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caribbean reefs</a> is under threat from a virulent disease known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-mysterious-disease-is-destroying-floridas-coral-reef/">stony coral tissue loss disease</a> (SCTLD). Initially reported near Miami in 2014, this disease has since affected coral populations across 18 countries and territories in the region. 



Stony coral tissue loss disease devastates coral colonies, leaving behind barren skeletons where vibrant life once thrived.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transforming-caribbean-reefs">Transforming Caribbean reefs</h2>



A recent study has shed light on the profound shifts occurring within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fishing-levels-can-destroy-or-save-coral-reef-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef ecosystems</a> due to SCTLD. The disappearance of susceptible coral species is paving the way for more opportunistic organisms - such as macroalgae, cyanobacteria, and fire coral - to dominate.



These "weedy" species, thriving in the absence of their traditional coral competitors, create a landscape vastly different from the once calcified structures of coral reefs.



The ripple effects of these changes are significant. Coral reefs, once bustling with diverse marine life, are transforming into environments dominated by seaweed.



While this new setting benefits certain herbivores, it fails to provide the complex habitat structure needed by other marine species for activities such as hiding, mating, and growing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broad-ecological-changes">Broad ecological changes</h2>



“In less than 10 years, a deadly infectious agent called stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has emerged as a leading threat to Caribbean coral reefs,” wrote the study authors.



“Although its etiology is not fully understood, the discovery of bacterial disease indicators and the success of probiotic treatments suggest that bacteria are involved.”&nbsp;



“Other evidence suggests that SCTLD is caused by a virus that attacks some corals’ endosymbiotic algae, but not others. SCTLD has reduced coral cover by 30 to 60% in affected regions, pushing a few coral species toward local extinction.”



“Because diseases are most likely to have indirect community effects when they affect connected, unique, or widespread host species, we hypothesized that SCTLD-caused coral loss could trigger broad changes in diverse coral reef ecosystems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Long-lasting consequences</h2>



Sara Swaminathan, the lead author and a PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering Sciences at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a>, explained the critical implications of these changes. "While some fast-growing organisms might initially thrive, the broader ecological balance is tipped, potentially leading to long-lasting repercussions," she noted.



Further studies involving data from various U.S. territories, including Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have highlighted additional consequences. 



For instance, the disease impacts crustose coralline algae, vital for reef building, thereby inhibiting the structural integrity and resilience of the reefs themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-and-their-changing-habitats">Fish and their changing habitats</h2>



The research team also discovered that the impact of the coral disease on fish populations is nuanced. Some fish species find new advantages in the altered environments, while others suffer due to the loss of their habitats. 



The roughness of the coral, or rugosity, now plays a more significant role in determining the suitability of these habitats for different fish species, regardless of whether the coral is alive.



Kevin Lafferty, a senior scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, highlighted the complexity of SCTLD's impact. "Some infectious diseases reshape entire ecosystems, and SCTLD is a prime example, creating a mix of winners and losers among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exotic-marine-species-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>," he remarked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-efforts-to-preserve-caribbean-reefs">Collaborative efforts to preserve Caribbean reefs</h2>



The international community, including marine biologists and conservationists, has rallied to address this crisis. Efforts to understand the mechanisms behind the disease and develop potential treatments are ongoing. Promising approaches like the application of probiotics to affected corals show potential in mitigating the disease's progression.



Andrew Altieri, an assistant professor and associate director at the Center for Coastal Solutions, emphasized the broader implications of coral loss. "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-cucumbers-protect-coral-reefs-from-disease-and-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral reefs</a> are not just biodiversity hotspots; they are crucial for the survival of numerous marine species and for the protection of coastal economies relying on fishing and tourism," he stated.



The collective efforts of researchers and conservationists are crucial in preserving these vital ecosystems. 



As the battle against stony coral tissue loss disease continues, the commitment to understanding and combating this disease remains paramount, not only for the health of the coral reefs but for the countless human and marine lives that depend on them.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk6808" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Coral disease is pushing Caribbean reefs toward extinction

The health of Caribbean reefs is under threat from a...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-are-hydrothermal-vents-an-unlikely-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hydrothermal vents</a>, mysterious features deep within the ocean, have recently been spotlighted by the discovery of five new sites in the eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. 



This remarkable find, achieved through the combined efforts of robotic and manned submersibles, marks a significant advance in our exploration of the ocean. 



Covering over 70% of our planet's surface, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-much-of-the-ocean-have-we-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> remains one of the least explored areas on Earth, filled with hidden mysteries. This recent expedition has significantly enhanced our understanding of these mysterious depths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrothermal-vent-discoveries-in-pacific-ocean">Hydrothermal vent discoveries in Pacific Ocean</h2>



A collaborative effort between a remote-operated vehicle and a human-occupied submarine has led to the identification of these hydrothermal vent sites.



Positioned at a depth of 2,550 meters (approximately 1.6 miles) along the East Pacific Rise near 10°N latitude, these vents are hotspots of <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-geysers-the-worlds-largest-geothermal-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geothermal</a> activity. 



The area, part of a major volcanic mountain chain formed by the divergence of two tectonic plates, continues to be a focal point for scientific research due to its dynamic geological processes. According to the researchers, these two tectonic plates are splitting apart at a rate of about 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) per year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-to-explore-ocean-s-hydrothermal-vents">Tools to explore ocean's hydrothermal vents</h2>



The use of the autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry, operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's National Deep Submergence Facility, was crucial. 



By mapping the ocean floor at night, Sentry provided high-resolution data that was instrumental in planning subsequent dives by the manned submersible, Alvin. 



This tandem operation between Sentry and Alvin allowed the team to explore the complex and ever-changing seafloor environment with precision and efficiency.



Jill McDermott, director of the <a href="https://www.lehighoceans.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lehigh Oceans Research Center</a>, highlighted the synergy between the advanced mapping capabilities of Sentry and the direct observational power of Alvin. 



"The high-resolution maps from Sentry allow us to spot likely new hydrothermal fields soon after Sentry comes back on deck," McDermott explained. "This gives us great targets for Alvin and the opportunity to make multiple discoveries in a single dive."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-significance">Geological significance</h2>



Hydrothermal vents, first discovered in 1977, have since been recognized as critical to understanding life's sustainability under extreme conditions. 



These vents support unique ecosystems that thrive in high-pressure and high-temperature environments, providing valuable insights into biological resilience. 



"The mid-ocean ridge accounts for more than 75% of all volcanic activity on our planet," noted Thibaut Barreyre, an expert in thermal measurements. "It is dotted with thousands of deep-sea hot springs which collectively release a significant portion of the Earth’s internal heat."



"We want to increase our understanding of how hydrothermal vents release heat and chemicals as they flow through the seafloor and affect the global ocean."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continuing-the-quest-for-knowledge">Continuing the quest for knowledge</h2>



The ongoing exploration of the East Pacific Rise is poised to deepen our understanding of hydrothermal and volcanic systems in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-vents-are-favorable-to-the-formation-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep sea</a>. 



Future expeditions will leverage the same advanced technology to further study the geophysical, chemical, and biological processes that shape our planet. 



"These new perspectives and the analyses of rock samples will let us figure out how quickly the lava erupted, how far it traveled, and the impacts deep-sea lava eruptions have on hydrothermal venting," noted Daniel Fornari, a marine geologist involved in the research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hydrothermal vent discoveries</h2>



As scientists like Ross Parnell-Turner, a marine geophysicist, continue to map the intricate details of the ocean floor, each discovery of hydrothermal vents adds a piece to the puzzle of our planet's complex ecosystem. 



These findings not only enhance our geological and biological understanding but also underscore the critical role of advanced technology in exploring the vast, uncharted territories of our ocean.



This blend of science, technology, and nature continues to uncover the secrets held deep within the Earth, particularly through the study of hydrothermal vents. These vents promise to reshape our understanding of the very fabric of life and our planet. 



The researchers plan to continue studying hydrothermal activity and volcanism along the East Pacific Rise in a follow-up expedition with Sentry and Alvin. As the expedition team prepares for their next journey, the scientific community and the world eagerly anticipate what mysteries will be revealed.



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Five new hydrothermal vents discovered in the Pacific Ocean

Hydrothermal vents, mysterious features deep within the ocean, have recently...

A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.uoguelph.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Guelph</a> in Canada has found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-the-biggest-threat-to-wild-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a> is increasingly posing a significant threat to bumblebee populations worldwide.&nbsp;



According to the experts, the perils that rising temperatures pose to bumblebee nest viability and larvae development should urgently be taken into account in order to protect these insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-in-bumblebee-populations-nbsp">Decline in bumblebee populations&nbsp;</h2>



“The decline in populations and ranges of several species of bumblebees may be explained by issues of overheating of the nests and the brood. The constraints on the survival of the bumblebee brood indicate that heat is likely a major factor, with heating of the nest above about 35 degrees Celsius being lethal, despite the remarkable capacity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-increasingly-stressed-over-the-past-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebees</a> to thermoregulate,” explained Peter Kevan, an expert in environmental sciences at Guelph.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimal-temperature-range-for-bumblebee-nests">Optimal temperature range for bumblebee nests</h2>



Bumblebees, diverse in species and widespread across various climates, have consistently shown an optimal nest temperature range between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius. This similarity across species suggests a limited ability to adapt to rising temperatures outside of their thermal neutral zone, where they can maintain body temperature without expending much energy.&nbsp;



“Excessively <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/death-valley-may-reach-the-hottest-temperature-ever-recorded-this-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high temperatures</a> are more harmful to most animals and plants than cool temperatures. When conditions are cool, organisms that do not metabolically regulate their body temperatures simply slow down, but when temperatures get too high metabolic processes start to break down and cease. Death ensues quickly,” Kevan said.



Through an extensive review spanning 180 years, the researchers have found that bumblebees can survive temperatures up to 36 degrees Celsius and thrive best around 30-32 degrees Celsius, though variations exist depending on species and geographic conditions. However, their innate ability to thermoregulate may not suffice against the escalating challenges posed by global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collective-health-of-the-bumblebee-colony">Collective health of the bumblebee colony</h2>



The study also emphasizes the concept of the bumblebee colony as a “superorganism,” highlighting that the reproductive success of the colony hinges on the collective health and survival of its members, not just individual bees. High nest temperatures, therefore, jeopardize the entire colony's future by potentially reducing the health and viability of new offspring.



“The effect of high nest temperatures has not been studied very much, which is surprising,” Kevan remarked. “We can surmise that nest temperatures above the mid-30s Celsius would likely be highly detrimental and that above about 35 Celsius death would occur, probably quite quickly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elevated-nest-temperatures-nbsp">Elevated nest temperatures&nbsp;</h2>



Parallel findings in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-carrying-nectar-avoid-overheating-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honeybees</a> have shown that elevated nest temperatures can weaken bee queens and result in smaller, less robust worker bees. A similar impact on bumblebees could directly contribute to their decline, suggesting an urgent need for further research.



The scientists advocate for deeper exploration into the understudied areas of bumblebee ecology such as nest morphology, material properties, and temperature regulation strategies. Innovative methods like ground-penetrating radar and flow-through respirometry analysis might reveal how different colonies and species manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humidity-increases-urban-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thermal stress</a>, potentially uncovering broader thermal neutral zones in some species that could confer greater resilience.



“We hope that future scientists may take the ideas we present and apply them to their own research on bumblebee health and conservation,” Kevan concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bumblebee-nests-nbsp">Bumblebee nests&nbsp;</h2>



Bumblebee nests are unique and fascinating structures usually found underground or in dense grass. Unlike honeybees, which build extensive hives, bumblebees often repurpose abandoned rodent burrows or thick grass clumps to create their homes. These nests are less populous, typically housing anywhere from 50 to 400 bees, which is considerably smaller than honeybee hives.



The queen bumblebee initiates the nest by laying the first batch of eggs, which she incubates with her body. As these hatch and mature into worker bees, they take over the duties of expanding the nest, foraging for food, and caring for subsequent broods laid by the queen. The interior of a bumblebee nest contains wax pots built by the workers for storing food and rearing young bees.



These nests have a relatively short lifespan. They are usually active for only a few months each year, from spring to late summer. At the end of the season, new queens are produced, which leave to mate and then find a place to hibernate through the winter.&nbsp;



The original nest is abandoned and generally does not get reused the following year. This cycle highlights the bumblebee's vital role in pollination and the ecosystem, despite their nests being less permanent than those of some other bee species.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frbee.2024.1351616" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Bee Science</a>.



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Rising temperatures are overheating bumblebee nests

A recent study led by the University of Guelph in...

<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=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air">Invisible threat in urban air</h2>



City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge">Disturbing connections emerge</h2>



Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters">Timing matters</h2>



The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns">Genetic vulnerability patterns</h2>



Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications">Public health implications</h2>



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.



As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



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



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



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



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.



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



Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.



Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.



Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<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=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.



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



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.



The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.



The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.



The full study was recently published in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<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.



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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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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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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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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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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

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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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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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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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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> 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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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