<p>Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. </p>



<p>But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks.</p>



<p>In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">wildfires</a>, adding to the already mounting risks across the West.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-is-fueling-more-wildfires">Lightning is fueling more wildfires</h2>



<p>Wildfires need a few things to get going: dry fuel, hot temperatures, low humidity, and a spark. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-is-changing-the-atmosphere-in-surprising-ways/">Lightning</a> is one of the most powerful natural igniters.</p>



<p>In the western U.S., lightning already causes more than two-thirds of the area burned by wildfires. And now, new research shows that number is going to rise sharply due to climate change. </p>



<p>Warmer air holds more moisture, which means more unstable weather patterns. Those patterns, in turn, set the stage for more lightning.</p>



<p>A recent study has revealed that virtually all of the western U.S. - 98 percent of the region - will have more days with a greater likelihood of lightning-ignited wildfires starting as early as the 2030s. </p>



<p>For regions already accustomed to such fires, such as Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, the risk is even greater. As early as 2060, those states may have as many as 12 additional lightning-filled days per summer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-to-forecast-lightning">A model to forecast lightning</h2>



<p>Traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate models</a> don’t really track lightning. That’s why a team of researchers led by Dmitri Kalashnikov built their own system to fill in the gaps.</p>



<p>“The first step was to project lightning,” said Kalashnikov, a research scientist at the <a href="https://www.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Merced</a>. “The typical climate models don’t directly simulate lightning. It’s too small a process.”</p>



<p>The researchers applied machine learning to forecast where lightning would hit based on variables that we can quantify - such as temperature, humidity, and the level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moisture-in-the-atmosphere-causes-extreme-weather-to-last-longer/">moisture in the air</a>. </p>



<p>The team merged those results with the Fire Weather Index (FWI), a mechanism that was developed back in 1968 to monitor how probable wildfire initiation and spread is from local weather.</p>



<p>The result is a forecast model tailored to the western U.S., designed to project conditions from 2030 to 2060 - decades earlier than most studies, which typically look only to the end of the century.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-lightning-in-the-northwest">More lightning in the Northwest</h2>



<p>The northwestern states of Idaho, Oregon, and Montana are projected to experience the greatest growth in lightning days. But strangely, they may not experience the most rapid expansion in wildfires. </p>



<p>Although lightning will grow, the conditions favoring fires (such as extreme heat or dryness) are not expected to worsen as quickly in the Northwest compared to other regions.</p>



<p>That doesn’t mean northwestern states are off the hook. Cloud-to-ground lightning, the kind that hits trees or grass directly, is still expected to rise significantly in those areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-lightning-greater-wildfire-risk">Less lightning, greater wildfire risk</h2>



<p>In contrast, the Southwest - including Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico - won’t see as much of a jump in lightning strikes. But the fire risk will still climb. </p>



<p>This is because even a small spark becomes a big threat when the land is extra dry, the heat is intense, and there’s little rain to cool things off.</p>



<p>The researchers found that these southern states are likely to experience the biggest increases in wildfires caused by lightning, despite the smaller bump in lightning activity. That’s because climate change is pushing up the number of fire-prone days overall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-and-wet-lightning">Dry and wet lightning</h2>



<p>Kalashnikov said the next steps could involve separating the kinds of lightning events. “You can’t help but wonder what the future will look like, especially if you dig in and you realize that there’s actually a lot that we don’t understand,” he said.</p>



<p>One key factor will be figuring out how to distinguish between "dry lightning" and "wet lightning." Dry lightning happens without much rain, making it a fire hazard. </p>



<p>Wet lightning brings <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-poses-extreme-risks-in-the-western-us/">heavy rain</a>, which can reduce fire risk but increase flood danger. Understanding that difference could help emergency services respond more precisely to fire threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-risks-are-rising-fast">Wildfire risks are rising fast</h2>



<p>As climate patterns shift, the West isn’t just getting warmer and drier - it’s getting stormier in a dangerous way. Lightning is expected to spark more fires, and fires are expected to find more dry fuel waiting. It’s a feedback loop that could reshape fire seasons in the U.S.</p>



<p>This isn’t about something that might happen a hundred years from now. The changes are coming within the next few decades - some may already be happening. </p>



<p>And for the people living in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/double-hazard-wildfire-zones-identified-in-the-american-west/">high-risk areas</a>, that means more heat, more smoke, and a greater need for preparation.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025EF006108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a></em>.</p>



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Lightning will ignite even more wildfires as the climate heats up

Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks. In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for wildfires, adding to the already mounting risks across the West. Lightning is fueling more wildfires Wildfires need a few things to get...

Female,Friends,Drinking,Beer,At,Music,Festival

<p>Rising global temperatures may be fueling an unexpected health crisis - an increase in hospital visits due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-alcohol-consumption-does-not-increase-risk-of-early-death/">alcohol</a> and drug-related disorders. A study conducted by scientists at <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health</a> has shed light on this alarming connection.</p>



<p>The study is possibly the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive look into the relationship between escalating temperatures and a subsequent rise in hospital visits.</p>



<p>"Our work highlights how hospital visits from alcohol- and substance-related disorders are currently impacted by elevated temperatures and could be further affected by rising temperatures resulting from climate change," wrote the study authors.</p>



<p>"Enhanced social infrastructure and health system interventions could mitigate these impacts."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-and-drug-disorders-nbsp">Alcohol and drug disorders&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In recent decades, the U.S. has witnessed a concerning surge in cases of binge drinking, alcohol-induced illnesses, and fatalities, particularly among middle-aged to older citizens. </p>



<p>Furthermore, drug overdose deaths have increased more than five times since the end of the 20th century.</p>



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



<p>For the study, the team analyzed data from over 671,625 alcohol- and 721,469 substance-related hospital admissions spanning two decades in New York State. This data was cross-referenced with daily temperatures and humidity levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One of the significant revelations was the correlation between elevated temperatures and an increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Possible explanations could include increased outdoor activities during pleasant weather, higher substance consumption, dehydration due to sweating, or a rise in DUI incidents.</p>



<p>For drug disorders involving cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and sedatives, a similar pattern was observed, but only up to a specific temperature - 65.8°F. The findings suggest that individuals might be less likely to venture outdoors beyond this temperature threshold.</p>



<p>“We saw that during periods of higher temperatures, there was a corresponding increase in hospital visits related to alcohol and substance use, which also brings attention to some less obvious potential consequences of climate change,” said study first author Dr. Robbie M. Parks.</p>



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



<p>The researchers note that their study may underestimate the link between temperature rise and substance use disorders because the most severe disorders may have resulted in deaths before a hospital visit was possible.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In subsequent research, scientists could investigate the potential correlation between the number of deaths and hospital admission records to get a fuller picture of a patient's medical trajectory.</p>



<p>Experts could also explore the effects of pre-existing health conditions aggravated by substance use in conjunction with soaring temperatures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-interventions-nbsp">Public health interventions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>"Our findings suggest that rising temperatures, including those caused by climate change, may influence hospital visits for alcohol and other drugs, emphasizing the need for appropriate and proportionate social and health interventions, as well as highlighting potential hidden burdens of climate change," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>There is an urgent need for public health officials and scientists to lead initiatives like public awareness drives to educate communities about the risks posed by warmer temperatures on substance abuse.</p>



<p>“Public health interventions that broadly target alcohol and substance disorders in warmer weather - for example, targeted messaging on the risks of their consumption during warmer weather - should be a public health priority,” said study senior author Dr. Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43856-023-00346-1"><em>Communications Medicine</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Rising temperatures may amplify alcohol and drug disorders

Rising global temperatures may be fueling an unexpected health crisis...

<p>Climate change is a pressing global concern that is pushing various plant and animal species towards the brink of extinction. A new study from <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/">UCLA</a> is focused on the survival of redwoods and oaks that thrive on California’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-impacts-97-percent-of-the-worlds-coastline/">coastline</a> and coastal mountains.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-climate-crisis-nbsp">The climate crisis&nbsp;</h2>



<p>California's iconic redwoods and oaks face increasing challenges due to alterations in temperatures and rainfall patterns that are associated with human-caused climate change. Many of these species are currently teetering on the edge of their endurance limits.</p>



<p>Identifying suitable new habitats will soon become a matter of life or death for some California native species, noted study senior author Professor Lawren Sack. But if those trees could talk, where would they say they wanted to live?</p>



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



<p>Professor Sack and his team of UCLA biologists sought answers within the plants themselves.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their research unraveled a "language" embedded in the leaves and woody stems of plants, indicating their optimal habitats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This discovery holds promise for conservationists to better locate new regions for plant relocation and provide more effective protection for their existing habitats.</p>



<p>Traditionally, determining the best environment for plants was primarily based on their current habitats. This approach often falls short, especially in places like California where agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization have reshaped the natural habitats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition, climate change further complicates the relocation of these species.</p>



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



<p>The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14422"><em>Functional Ecology</em></a>, used a statistical model to estimate the preferred climatic conditions for various plant species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This estimation is derived from several plant parameters, such as height, leaf composition, wilting point, and wood density.</p>



<p>The model does not just reveal what conditions the plant can tolerate, but pinpoints the climate it prefers. This can provide vital information about how well-matched a plant is with its native environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-a-plant-prefers-to-live">Where a plant prefers to live</h2>



<p>“Plant species can directly reveal to us their climate preference and their vulnerability to potential climate change in the ‘language’ of their leaves and wood,” said Professor Sack.</p>



<p>“Now that we know this, if you give us a leaf and a piece of wood, we can give a good scientific prediction of where the plant prefers to live."</p>



<p>“We are tuning in to what the plants are telling us about their preferences, in the language of their tissues and physiology, aiming to help them survive escalating climate challenges.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>Professor Sack collaborated with UCLA postdoctoral scholar Camila Medeiros and an international team of researchers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team analyzed 10 distinct leaf and wood traits from more than 100 species in a range of environments mostly within the University of California Natural Reserve System.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variety-of-ecosystems-nbsp">Variety of ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The variety of ecosystems that were analyzed included desert, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, montane wet forest, mixed riparian woodland and mixed conifer broadleaf forest. These types of ecosystems cover about 70% of California’s land area.</p>



<p>“The correspondence of leaf and wood traits with species’ climates is striking,” said Medeiros.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, species native to warmer, drier climates tend to be shorter in stature, with thicker and denser leaves and lower wilting points - traits that enable them to continue photosynthesis when water is scarce and to grow faster when water is more readily available.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-physiology-and-climate-nbsp">Plant physiology and climate&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“The reflection of species’ preferred climate in their wood and leaves evidently arose from millennia of evolution that matched plant physiology to climate across California,” said Medeiros.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We also found that many plants in the ecosystems we sampled were occupying locations that differed in climate from what we estimated to be their optimal niche."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"As climate change ensues, we think this will tend to aggravate the sensitivity of many species, including common trees like the California buckeye and shrubs like the purple sage and California lilacs.”</p>



<p>The study is the first of its kind to determine whether plants’ functional traits can be used to accurately predict their climate preferences.</p>



<p>“Some previous studies analyzed individual approaches one by one, but our study was new in simultaneously applying all of them, and this gave us unprecedented predictive power,” said Medeiros.</p>



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

Plants have a way of telling us what climate they can survive in

Climate change is a pressing global concern that is pushing...

<p>A team of astronomers led by the <a href="https://www.umontreal.ca/">University of Montréal</a> (UdeM) has recently made significant advancements in understanding the mysterious TRAPPIST-1 exoplanetary system, which was first discovered in 2016 and has sparked speculation regarding its potential to host human life.</p>



<p>Published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acf7c4">Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>, the findings by astronomers at UdeM’s <a href="https://exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/en/">Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets</a> (iREx) and colleagues in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. have shed light on the complex interplay between stellar activity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-class-of-exoplanets-discovered/">exoplanet</a> characteristics, underscoring the importance of parent stars in studying exoplanets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potentially-habitable-planets">Potentially habitable planets</h2>



<p>Located about 40 light-years away from Earth, TRAPPIST-1 is a star much smaller and cooler than our sun.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The star has captured the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts alike with its seven Earth-sized exoplanets, three of which are within its habitable zone, fueling hopes of finding potentially habitable environments beyond our solar system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research, led by iREx doctoral student Olivia Lim, employed the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe TRAPPIST-1 b, the exoplanet orbiting closest to the system’s star.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their observations were collected as part of the largest Canadian-led General Observers (GO) program during the JWST’s first year of operations, which also included observations of three other planets in the system, TRAPPIST-1 c, g, and h, using the Canadian-made NIRISS instrument aboard the JWST.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-spectroscopic-observations">First spectroscopic observations</h2>



<p>“These are the very first spectroscopic observations of any TRAPPIST-1 planet obtained by the JWST, and we’ve been waiting for them for years,” said Lim, the GO program’s principal investigator.</p>



<p>The experts used transmission spectroscopy to peer deeper into this distant world. By analyzing the central star’s light after it has passed through the exoplanet’s atmosphere during a transit, astronomers can identify the unique fingerprint left behind by the molecules and atoms found within that atmosphere.</p>



<p>“This is just a small subset of many more observations of this unique planetary system yet to come and to be analyzed,” said co-author René Doyon, the principal investigator of the NIRISS instrument. “These first observations highlight the power of NIRISS and the JWST in general to probe the thin atmospheres around rocky planets.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-contamination-nbsp">Stellar contamination&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A key finding of the study was the significant role of stellar activity and contamination in determining the nature of an exoplanet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Stellar contamination refers to the influence of the star’s own features, such as dark spots and bright faculae, on the measurements of the exoplanet’s atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The scientists found compelling evidence that stellar contamination plays a crucial role in shaping the transmission spectra of TRAPPIST-1 b and, likely, the other planets in the system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This contamination can create “ghost signals” that may fool the observer into thinking they have detected a particular molecule in the exoplanet’s atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signatures-of-stellar-activity">Signatures of stellar activity</h2>



<p>“In addition to the contamination from stellar spots and faculae, we saw a stellar flare, an unpredictable event during which the star looks brighter for several minutes or hours,” said Lim.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This flare affected our measurement of the amount of light blocked by the planet. Such signatures of stellar activity are difficult to model but we need to account for them to ensure that we interpret the data correctly.”</p>



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



<p>These findings highlight the importance of considering stellar contamination when planning future observations of all exoplanetary systems, particularly for systems like TRAPPIST-1, which is centered around a red dwarf star known for being particularly active with starspots and frequent flare events.</p>



<p>Based on the collected JWST observations, Lim and her team explored a range of atmospheric models for TRAPPIST-1 b, examining various possible compositions and scenarios. They found they could confidently rule out the existence of cloud-free, hydrogen-rich atmospheres, indicating that there appears to be no clear, extended atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 b.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the data could not confidently exclude thinner atmospheres composed of pure water, carbon dioxide, or methane, nor an atmosphere similar to that of Titan, a moon of Saturn with its own atmosphere.</p>



<p>These results are consistent with previous JWST observations of TRAPPIST-1 b and confirm that Canada’s NIRISS instrument is a highly performing, sensitive tool able to probe atmospheres on Earth-sized exoplanets at impressive levels.</p>



<p><em>Image Credit: Benoît Gougeon, Université de Montréal</em></p>



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JWST provides new insights into a distant star and its exoplanets

A team of astronomers led by the University of Montréal...

Sunrise,Through,Clouds,,Upon,A,High,Detailed,Satellite,View,Of

<p>In an extraordinary turn of events, scientists have documented the most intense heat wave ever recorded on Earth in a very unlikely place: Antarctica.</p>



<p>In March of 2022, a region near the eastern coast of Antarctica observed a temperature surge that was a staggering 39 degrees Celsius above the norm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drastic-transition-nbsp">Drastic transition&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This sudden rise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/death-valley-may-reach-the-hottest-temperature-ever-recorded-this-week/">temperature</a>, marking the transition into the continent's autumn season, was so drastic that researchers on-site were seen in shorts, with some even removing their shirts to soak in the unusual warmth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For an area where March temperatures hover around minus-54 degrees Celsius, this was an extraordinary occurrence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-largest-temperature-anomaly-nbsp">Largest temperature anomaly&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“It was just very apparent that it was a remarkable event,” said Edward Blanchard-Wrigglesworth, author of the study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We found that temperature anomaly, the 39-degree temperature anomaly, that’s the largest anywhere ever measured anywhere in the world.”</p>



<p>On March 18, 2022, the daily mean temperatures hit minus-15 degrees Celsius, peaking at an hourly rate of minus-10 degrees Celsius. This is warmer than any recorded summer temperature in that region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-mystery">Unraveling the mystery</h2>



<p>But what could cause such an unusual temperature hike in a place like Antarctica, especially during a time when the sun's presence is limited?</p>



<p>The researchers set out to unravel this meteorological mystery. Their initial findings suggest that unusual winds played a pivotal role.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warm-air-from-australia-nbsp">Warm air from Australia&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Typically, Antarctica is shielded by west-to-east winds that keep it insulated from warmer areas further north.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, in this case, the winds took a detour, bringing warm air from southern Australia to East Antarctica within four days.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, the northerly winds brought with them significant moisture resulting in snow, rain, and melting along the eastern coast of the ice sheet.</p>



<p>Interestingly, while Antarctica was grappling with its lowest recorded sea ice, the study suggests this did not directly influence the heat wave.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-latitudes">High latitudes</h2>



<p>The experts also discovered that the most significant temperature deviations from the norm occured at high latitudes.</p>



<p>Blanchard-Wrigglesworth explained that the most massive anomalies occur at high latitudes because there's more cold air to displace near the ground, leading to warm weather events, often around winter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-variability-nbsp">Temperature variability&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Although the heat wave's direct link to climate change remains under investigation, initial results suggest that climate change could have contributed about 2 degrees Celsius to the event.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Jonathan Wille, a meteorologist not involved in the study, said he’s not surprised that this Antarctic heat wave registered as the largest observed temperature anomaly anywhere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is because the Antarctic Plateau has some of the highest temperature variability in the world.</p>



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



<p>The broader implications of such heat waves are concerning. If these become a regularity in a warming world, Antarctica's ice sheets might face unprecedented challenges.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team used computer models to explore future scenarios that included increased greenhouse gas emissions versus a world without increased emissions.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The experts found climate change only increased the heat wave by 2 degrees Celsius. By the end of the century, climate change could boost such a heat wave by an additional 5 to 6 degrees Celsius.</p>



<p>“A 2C boost for a heatwave that was 39C above average means that this heat wave would have been record shattering without the climate change signal,” Wille, a researcher at ETH Zurich, wrote in an email.</p>



<p>"It’s possible that climate change influenced the atmospheric dynamics like the tropical convection anomalies that led to the heat wave, but this is very difficult to quantify these things."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp-0">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Blanchard-Wrigglesworth said more heat waves like this in Antarctica in a warmer world could have dire effects on the ice sheet.</p>



<p>“If you add another five or six degrees on top of that, you’re starting to get close to the melting point,” said Blanchard-Wrigglesworth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If heat waves were to become more common in 50 or even 100 years, “this kind of event might trigger some impacts that maybe we didn’t have on our radar.”</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL104910"><em>Geophysical Research Letters</em></a>.</p>



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Antarctica experienced the most intense heat wave ever recorded

In an extraordinary turn of events, scientists have documented the...

<p>In a new report from the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/">Environmental Working Group</a> (EWG), researchers have proposed a compelling concept: humans can act as a crucial benchmark for understanding the repercussions of the toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS on wildlife.</p>



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



<p>PFAS, due to their persistent nature, do not just affect humans but also a broad spectrum of species worldwide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist at EWG, emphasized that humans act as an "early warning system" to comprehend how these chemicals might influence wildlife in their natural habitats.</p>



<p>“PFAS pollution is not just a problem for humans,” said Dr. Andrews. “It’s a problem for species across the globe. This new paper delves into how humans serve as an early warning system for understanding how PFAS may impact other living creatures in the environment.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forever-chemicals">Forever chemicals</h2>



<p>Studies have associated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-fish-serving-may-contain-a-month-of-forever-chemicals/">forever chemicals</a> with a number of adverse effects in both humans and laboratory animals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These range from immune system damage, reproductive and fetal development disruptions, hormone imbalances, to heightened cancer risks.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-collection">Data collection</h2>



<p>Notably, EWG’s research methods allow for the collection of data without causing harm to animals, especially the endangered ones.</p>



<p>Ken Cook, president of EWG, emphasized their 25-year battle against PFAS contamination.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“EWG researchers have analyzed scientific studies, conducted our own investigations, and plotted where people are exposed to toxic PFAS,” said Cook.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Now we’ve shown that humans might signal how these toxic chemicals affect the bodies of polluted animals in almost every corner of the world.”</p>



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



<p>Endangered animals, already grappling with challenges like pollution, habitat erosion, and exploitation, now face the menace of PFAS. The global impact of the PFAS crisis is substantial.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The PFAS crisis is global,” said Dr. Alexis Temkin, a toxicologist at EWG. “Like humans, wildlife are exposed to multiple PFAS at a time, through the diet, air, water and soil, highlighting the need to tackle these persistent and toxic chemicals as a class.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-threats-nbsp">Wildlife threats&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Recent studies have shown alarming effects of PFAS on species like the North Carolina alligators and sea turtles in the north Pacific.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research on alligators showed that elevated levels of PFAS were associated with higher occurrences of skin lesions, as well as wounds that did not heal properly and became infected.</p>



<p>The study on sea turtles demonstrated that animals are vulnerable to the effects of PFAS exposure at every stage, from their eggs to immune systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pfas-wildlife-map">PFAS wildlife map</h2>



<p>EWG's updated wildlife map, capturing over 200 peer-reviewed studies, now documents more than 120 unique PFAS compounds found in 625 animal species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The interactive map showcases a variety of animals, from amphibians and fish to large mammals like polar bears.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The wildlife map is not an exhaustive catalog of all animal studies but mostly those published in the past few years," said Dr. Andrews.</p>



<p>"PFAS are ubiquitous, and this first-of-its-kind map clearly captures the extent to which PFAS have contaminated wildlife around the globe."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lingering-effects-nbsp">Lingering effects&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The persistence of PFAS in the body and environment is troubling. With these chemicals found in almost everyone, including infants, the health implications cannot be ignored.&nbsp;</p>



<p>PFAS exposure has been connected to various health issues in humans, such as weakened immune systems and heightened cancer risks.</p>



<p>PFAS's widespread use, found in consumer goods ranging from cosmetics and food packaging to firefighting foams, underscores the massive challenge of addressing this contamination.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-for-action">Call for action</h2>



<p>Dr. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at EWG, warns that current methods of PFAS disposal might lead to even more pollution, with the consequences echoing throughout the food chain. She calls for immediate action to halt all non-essential PFAS applications.</p>



<p>“Our research found that the most common methods we have for getting rid of PFAS may end up leading to further pollution,” said Dr. Stoiber.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“And we can expect that contamination to ripple through the food chain, potentially affecting even more species, including humans."&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our choice is either to keep polluting the planet or take immediate action to stop all nonessential uses of PFAS."&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-industrial-pollution">Industrial pollution</h2>



<p>According to the experts, considering the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, it is important to try to minimize exposure wherever possible.</p>



<p>“We need to accelerate - not delay - efforts to turn off the tap of PFAS pollution from industrial sources,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs.</p>



<p>“For decades, polluters have with impunity dumped as much PFAS as they wanted into our air, rivers, streams, lakes and bays."</p>



<p>“The Biden Environmental Protection Agency must move faster and not rely on cash-strapped state regulators to turn off the tap.”</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165939"><em>Science of The Total Environment</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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PFAS crisis: Humans are an early warning system for wildlife impacts

In a new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG),...

<p>A recent study on Caribbean parrots has revealed that species believed to be unique to specific islands were once more prevalent and varied than previously thought.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research helps to explain why parrots, particularly those on islands, have become the globe's most endangered bird group.</p>



<p>"Humans did not arrive on most of the world’s islands until relatively recently, making islands favorable places for disentangling the timing and magnitude of natural and anthropogenic impacts on species diversity and distributions," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Here, we focus on Amazona parrots in the Caribbean, which have close relationships with humans."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-survivors">Protecting the survivors</h2>



<p>In 1492, during Christopher Columbus' maiden journey to the Caribbean, parrot flocks were so abundant that they reportedly "obscured the sun."&nbsp;</p>



<p>But today, over half of the Caribbean parrot species, ranging from macaws to parrotlets, are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-quarter-of-earths-species-may-be-extinct-by-2010/">extinct</a>. The task of conserving the surviving species has been hindered by the limited knowledge of their historical distributions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“People have always been obsessed with parrots,” said study lead author Jessica Oswald, a senior biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Lab.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Indigenous peoples have moved parrots across continents and between islands for thousands of years. Later, European colonists continued that practice, and we’re still moving them around today.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unclear-origins">Unclear origins</h2>



<p>According to the researchers, centuries of trade have made it difficult to know how parrots wound up where they are now. Half of the 24 parrot species that currently live in the Caribbean were introduced from other areas, and it’s unclear whether native parrots evolved on the islands they inhabit or were similarly transported there.</p>



<p>“There are records of parrots being kept in homes, where they were valued for their feathers and, in some cases, potentially as a source of food,” said study senior author Michelle LeFebvre from the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-fossil-species">Identifying fossil species</h2>



<p>Parrots are often discovered at archaeological sites, and they have a remarkable fossil record in the Caribbean.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Previously, the fragmented nature of these remains made it impossible to identify the fossil species. But now, recent advancements in DNA technology have made it possible.&nbsp;</p>



<p>David Steadman, a retired curator of ornithology, collaborated with Oswald, who successfully sequenced DNA from a 2,500-year-old extinct Caribbean bird.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“For me, the single most satisfying thing about this project is we can use fossils in ways that weren’t even imaginable when they came out of the ground,” said Steadman.</p>



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



<p>Using genetic sequencing methods, the experts established connections between extinct flightless Caribbean birds and those in Africa and New Zealand.</p>



<p>The research focused mainly on the Cuban and Hispaniolan parrots of the Amazona genus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the Cuban parrot species currently thrives in select areas of the Caribbean, the Hispaniolan species faces potential extinction, restricted to its namesake island.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-extinctions-nbsp">Dark extinctions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The DNA analysis led to some surprising revelations. For example, fossils from Bahamian sites previously assumed to belong to the more prevalent Cuban parrots were actually from Hispaniolan parrots.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This suggests that Hispaniolan parrots once ranged through the Bahamas before humans reached the islands.</p>



<p>“One of the striking things about this study is the discovery of what could be considered dark extinctions,” LeFebvre said. “We’re learning about diversity we didn’t even know existed until we took a closer look at museum specimens.”</p>



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



<p>The study also illuminates the human role in species distribution. According to Oswald, knowing where species once thrived is the first step to conserving what’s left of their diversity.</p>



<p>“We have to think about what we consider to be natural,” she said. “People have been altering the natural world for thousands of years, and species that we think are endemic to certain areas might be the product of recent range loss due to humans."</p>



<p>"It takes paleontologists, archaeologists, evolutionary biologists and museum scientists all working together to really understand the long-term role of humans on diversity change.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2301128120"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>.</p>



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Humans have relocated Caribbean parrots for thousands of years

A recent study on Caribbean parrots has revealed that species...

The,Sun,And,The,Earth,-,Elements,Of,This,Image

<p>A new study illuminates the drastic climatic conditions that could lead to a mass extinction of humans and all mammals, rivaling the extinction of the dinosaurs, approximately 250 million years into the future. </p>



<p>This research posits that the formation of a supercontinent, merging of the world’s current continents, will create a largely inhospitable environment. Extreme temperatures will plague this new <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supercontinent</a> and will severely endanger most mammal species, including humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supercomputer-predictions">Supercomputer predictions</h2>



<p>For the first time, researchers have employed supercomputer climate models to simulate future climatic conditions, exposing the severe intensification of climate extremes as the Earth’s continents coalesce to form a singular, uninhabitable supercontinent. </p>



<p>The process would escalate average global temperatures, making survival for most mammals virtually impossible due to their inability to adapt to such extreme heat conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sun-s-brightness-and-tectonic-activity">Sun’s brightness and tectonic activity</h2>



<p>Further, the research projects escalation in the sun’s brightness, which would emit more energy and increase Earth’s temperatures. </p>



<p>Additionally, the formation of the supercontinent will be marked by frequent volcanic eruptions due to tectonic processes within the Earth’s crust. This would release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and exacerbate global warming. </p>



<p>The research team says that the increasing carbon dioxide levels, coupled with a hotter sun and extreme continentality, will create a triple threat. This, in turn, will cause temperatures to rise between 40 to 70 degrees Celsius in most areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-of-humans-and-mammals">Extinction of humans and mammals</h2>



<p>Mammals, including humans, have historically evolved to endure climatic extremes, adapting to cold through features like fur and hibernation. However, their ability to tolerate high temperatures has remained relatively constant, making the survival in prolonged excessive heat almost impossible. </p>



<p>The climatic conditions portrayed in this study, if they come to fruition, would not be survivable for mammals due to their inability to dissipate heat through sweat and cool their bodies. This would result in the extinction of humans.</p>



<p>Dr Eunice Lo, a co-author of the study, emphasized the urgency to address the current climate crisis resulting from human-induced global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Extreme heat, which is already detrimental to human health, underscores the immediate need for global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-projections-and-co2-levels">Future projections and CO2 levels</h2>



<p>To project future climatic conditions and CO2 levels, scientists simulated temperature, wind, rain, and humidity trends for the next expected supercontinent -- Pangea Ultima. </p>



<p>The models estimate CO2 levels rising from 400 ppm today to over 600 ppm in the future, assuming humanity ceases fossil fuel consumption. Otherwise, such levels may be reached much sooner. </p>



<p>Professor Benjamin Mills, who led the CO2 calculations, pointed out the grim outlook for the future with potential double CO2 levels, 2.5% more radiation from the sun, and a supercontinent situated in the hot, humid tropics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exoplanet-research-and-habitability">Exoplanet research and habitability</h2>



<p>This study also emphasizes the importance of considering tectonics and continental layouts in researching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/next-generation-telescopes-could-detect-signs-of-life-on-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a> or planets beyond our solar system. </p>



<p>The research illustrates that being in the ‘<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-our-galaxys-planets-could-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a>’ of a solar system does not guarantee a planet's habitability for humans. The landmass layout of a distant world plays a pivotal role in determining its livability.</p>



<p>In summary, while the projections paint a bleak picture for life in the distant future due to extreme heat and harsh conditions, it simultaneously accentuates the urgent need for addressing current climate crises and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to preserve the planet’s habitability. </p>



<p>The collective endeavor to reach <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-net-zero-world-will-require-75-trillion-of-investment-and-1-billion-electric-cars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">net-zero emissions</a> is more critical than ever, not only to prevent human extinction, but also for the diverse mammalian species sharing this planet.</p>



<p>The full study by the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> was published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01259-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-mass-extinctions">Past mass extinctions</h2>



<p>The Earth's geological and climatic history is punctuated by several mass extinction events, moments in time when the planet experienced abrupt shifts, leading to the substantial loss of its biodiversity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ordovician-silurian-extinction-around-443-million-years-ago">Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (Around 443 million years ago)</h3>



<p>In this first notable mass extinction, ice ages predominated and caused substantial marine life loss, wiping out nearly 85% of sea life. Changing sea levels and temperatures reduced habitat range and induced environmental stress, directly affecting marine biodiversity. This extinction primarily decimated marine species, since life on land was scarce during this period.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-late-devonian-extinction-around-360-million-years-ago">Late Devonian Extinction (Around 360 million years ago)</h3>



<p>The Late Devonian extinction left a significant impact, with a 75% reduction in species. This extinction event extensively affected marine life, particularly reef-building organisms and fish. Volcanic activity and asteroid impacts are considered primary culprits, disrupting ecosystems and altering atmospheric conditions, leading to extensive marine anoxia.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-permian-triassic-extinction-around-252-million-years-ago">Permian-Triassic Extinction (Around 252 million years ago)</h3>



<p>Often referred to as "The Great Dying," this cataclysm annihilated around 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species. Massive volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia released colossal amounts of lava, triggering severe climate change, acid rain, and ocean acidification. These environmental alterations devastated global ecosystems, transforming life on Earth.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triassic-jurassic-extinction-around-200-million-years-ago">Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (Around 200 million years ago)</h3>



<p>This event marked the end of the Triassic and the rise of the Jurassic period, with around 50% of species perishing. Large-scale volcanic activities and resultant climate changes are believed to be the driving forces, facilitating the dominance of dinosaurs by clearing ecological niches and allowing for adaptive radiations of various species.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cretaceous-paleogene-extinction-around-66-million-years-ago">Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (Around 66 million years ago)</h3>



<p>This well-known mass extinction event resulted from a colossal asteroid impact, creating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/the-chicxulub-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicxulub crater</a> in present-day Mexico and obliterating approximately 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs. The impact caused wildfires, tsunamis, and released substantial quantities of sulphur, leading to a "nuclear winter" effect, causing extreme and sudden climate shifts.</p>



<p>Examining these extinction events, we observe the recurring themes of sudden environmental and climatic changes -- often due to volcanic activity or celestial impacts -- that drastically altered life on Earth. </p>



<p>These past events are crucial in understanding the fragility of life on our planet and underscore the importance of preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance in the face of current environmental changes and challenges. They serve as poignant reminders of Earth's dynamic history and the transitory nature of its inhabitants.</p>



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Scientists predict a new mass extinction that will wipe out humans and all mammals

A new study illuminates the drastic climatic conditions that could...

<p>New research led by Dr. Jim Cleaves and Dr. Robert Hazen may soon provide answers to our questions about the existence of life beyond our planet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A team from the <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/">Carnegie Institution for Science</a> has devised a test that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect signs of past or present life on other celestial bodies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-incredible-accuracy">Incredible accuracy</h2>



<p>The AI-based method can differentiate between biological samples from the ancient and modern era and those of non-biological origin with 90 percent accuracy.</p>



<p>Dr. Hazen believes that this "routine analytical method" will revolutionize the search for life beyond Earth. Not only does it shed light on the earliest life forms on our planet, but it also paves the way for robotic spacecraft, landers, and rovers to scout for life on distant planets and moons.</p>



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



<p>One immediate application of this test could be on the samples already collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover. While some adjustments to align with SAM's (Sample Analysis at Mars) protocols are necessary, it might soon be possible to discern if organic molecules on Mars are remnants of a Martian biosphere.</p>



<p>Dr. Cleaves emphasized the profound implications of this discovery. At its core, this research confirms that there are inherent differences between biochemistry and abiotic organic chemistry.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, it provides a novel tool to verify the liveliness of samples from ancient Earth and Mars. </p>



<p>More importantly, the technology could potentially recognize life forms different from those we're familiar with on Earth, which is crucial for future astrobiology missions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-approach-nbsp">Breakthrough approach&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Unlike previous tests that target specific molecules or compound groups, the innovative method uses AI to identify nuanced differences in molecular patterns. These patterns emerge from a pyrolysis gas chromatography analysis followed by mass spectrometry. </p>



<p>During their research, the team used multidimensional data from 134 biotic or abiotic carbon-rich samples to train the AI.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts found that AI could determine whether samples were derived from living organisms, remnants of ancient life, or purely abiotic sources with a success rate of 90 percent.</p>



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



<p>An important note from the research team is that the origins of numerous ancient carbon-bearing samples remained ambiguous until now.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over time, both biotic and abiotic organic molecules degrade, making their origins tough to trace. However, this technique, even with decay and alteration, was able to detect signs of biological presence from samples as old as hundreds of millions of years.</p>



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



<p>“We began with the idea that the chemistry of life differs fundamentally from that of the inanimate world; that there are ‘chemical rules of life’ that influence the diversity and distribution of biomolecules," said Dr. Hazen.</p>



<p>"If we could deduce those rules, we can use them to guide our efforts to model life’s origins or to detect subtle signs of life on other worlds.”</p>



<p>“These results mean that we may be able to find a lifeform from another planet, another biosphere, even if it is very different from the life we know on Earth.&nbsp; And, if we do find signs of life elsewhere, we can tell if life on Earth and other planets derived from a common or different origin.”</p>



<p>“Put another way, the method should be able to detect alien biochemistries, as well as Earth life. That is a big deal because it's relatively easy to spot the molecular biomarkers of Earth life, but we cannot assume that alien life will use DNA, amino acids, etc. Our method looks for patterns in molecular distributions that arise from life's demand for "functional" molecules."</p>



<p>“What really astonished us was that we trained our machine-learning model to predict only two sample types – biotic or abiotic – but the method discovered three distinct populations: abiotic, living biotic, and fossil biotic.&nbsp; In other words, it could tell more recent biological samples from fossil samples – a newly plucked leaf or vegetable, say, versus something that died long ago," noted Dr. Hazen.</p>



<p>"This surprising finding gives us optimism that other attributes such as photosynthetic life or eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus) might also be distinguished.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biotic-and-abiotic-samples">Biotic and abiotic samples</h2>



<p>“From a chemical standpoint, the differences between biotic and abiotic samples relate to things like water solubility, molecular weights, volatility and so on," said Dr. Cleaves.</p>



<p>"The simple way I would think about this is that a cell has a membrane and an interior, called the cytosol; the membrane is pretty water-insoluble, while the cell's content is pretty water-soluble. That arrangement keeps the membrane assembled as it tries to minimize its components' contacts with water and also keeps the ‘inside components’ from leaking across the membrane.”</p>



<p>“The inside components can also stay dissolved in water despite being extremely large molecules like chromosomes and proteins,” he says.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“So, if one breaks a living cell or tissue into its components, one gets a mix of very water-soluble molecules and very water-insoluble molecules spread across a spectrum. Things like petroleum and coal have lost most of the water-soluble material over their long histories.”</p>



<p>“Abiological samples can have unique distributions across this spectrum relative to each other, but they are also distinct from the biological distributions."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-mysteries">Solving mysteries</h2>



<p>With this advancement, several scientific enigmas, such as the origins of the 3.5 billion-year-old black sediments from Western Australia, may soon be resolved.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These rocks, which are a subject of debate among scientists regarding their potential to contain Earth's oldest fossil microbes, might finally give up their secrets.</p>



<p>“We’re applying our methods right now to address these long-standing questions about the biogenicity of the organic material in these rocks,” said Dr. Hazen.</p>



<p>“If AI can easily distinguish biotic from abiotic, as well as modern from ancient life, then what other insights might we gain? For example, could we tease out whether an ancient fossil cell had a nucleus, or was photosynthetic?”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Could it analyze charred remains and discriminate different kinds of wood from an archeological site? It’s as if we are just dipping our toes in the water of a vast ocean of possibilities.”</p>



<p>The research is published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>, and was financially backed by the John Templeton Foundation.&nbsp;</p>



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Is there really life beyond Earth? AI could soon solve this mystery

New research led by Dr. Jim Cleaves and Dr. Robert...

<p>The Ganges River, also known as the Ganga, is one of the most significant and sacred water bodies in India and has a deep cultural, spiritual, and historical importance to millions of people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Ganges originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the central Himalayas. It flows southeast through the plains of northern India, passing through cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Patna.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After entering the state of West Bengal in India, the river divides into several distributaries and forms the Ganges Delta before flowing into the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-in-the-ganges">Microplastics in the Ganges</h2>



<p>In a recent study, scientists analyzed plastic pollution in the Ganges. The goal was to gain a better understanding of the characteristics and flow of plastics in a major river system</p>



<p>The results showed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-are-exposed-to-microplastics-before-theyre-even-born/">microplastics</a> were present throughout the Ganges River system - in the water, sediment, and even in the surrounding air.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research is the first-ever study to analyze the prevalence of microplastics in these three key environments surrounding a major river system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastic-abundance-nbsp">Microplastic abundance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers found an average of 41 microplastic particles settling from the atmosphere per square meter per day.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, sediment from the riverbed contained an average of 57 particles per kilogram, and there was one particle found in every 20 liters of water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-true-scale-of-contamination-nbsp">The true scale of contamination&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Study lead author Dr. Imogen Napper is a research fellow at the <a href="https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/">University of Plymouth</a> and National Geographic Explorer.</p>



<p>“We have known for some time that rivers are key pathways for the transfer of microplastics to marine environments. However, there has always been uncertainty about the sheer amounts being transported, and whether they represent long-term sinks," said Dr. Napper.</p>



<p>"This study goes some way to unraveling that mystery, and revealing the true scale of microplastic contamination that our river systems can represent.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts analyzed samples that had been collected by an international team during the National Geographic Society's Sea to Source: Ganges expedition.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many of the scientists involved in this research also contributed to a 2021 study suggesting that the Ganges River and its tributaries may contribute up to 3 billion microplastic particles daily to the Bay of Bengal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-microplastics-found-nbsp">Types of microplastics found&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In terms of the types of microplastics found in this recent study, fibers emerged as the dominant form, accounting for up to 99% of microplastics in certain samples.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Among these fibers, rayon - a synthetically altered cellulose - was by far the most prevalent polymer, followed by acrylic and polyester. Additionally, blue emerged as the most frequently found color.</p>



<p>The experts found that areas with higher population densities showed increased amounts of microplastics in both air and water samples. Meanwhile, sediment samples had denser microplastic particles compared to those in water and air.</p>



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



<p>The revelations from this research highlight the pervasive nature of microplastic contamination, emphasizing the need for broader studies and comprehensive strategies to address the issue.</p>



<p>The researchers believe clothing is likely the prominent source of microplastics in this particular river system, influenced by atmospheric deposition, wastewater, and direct inputs such as the handwashing of clothes in the Ganges.</p>



<p>Professor Heather Koldewey of the Zoological Society of London said: “Our research shows that clothing is the major source of microplastics in the air, water and sediment of this vast river system, enabling us to work with partners and policy makers to seek locally appropriate solutions."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"These can be informed and supported by the brilliant scientists from Bangladesh and India who were key members of the team involved in this paper.”</p>



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



<p>Dr. Anju Baroth from the Wildlife Institute of India noted that the study could be used to further explore the theory on major sinks and sources of microplastics in major river systems of the world.</p>



<p>“Earlier studies based on modeling had reported rivers in Asia as one the largest source of microplastic pollution to sea," said Dr. Baroth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This research based on primary field data has provided clear insight on the levels of microplastics in different environmental matrices of river Ganges and that several major river systems of the world have reported comparatively higher microplastics than the Ganges."&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166640"><em>Science of the Total Environment</em></a>.</p>



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Study reveals the extent of microplastic contamination in the Ganges River

The Ganges River, also known as the Ganga, is one...

<p>A recent study led by the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a> has investigated how microbes re-establish their presence after the disturbance of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-impacts-are-evolving-due-to-climate-change-but-in-what-ways/">wildfire</a>.</p>



<p>The researchers found that the re-establishment of microbial communities is strongly influenced by dispersal mechanisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-shifts">Environmental shifts</h2>



<p>Ecological upheavals, like wildfires, severely disrupt microbial communities. A deeper understanding of this can potentially allow researchers to predict how microbes might react to significant environmental shifts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research, now published in <em>mSystems</em>, suggests that microbial succession post wildfires is predominantly driven by dispersal mechanisms like wind and rain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>Over the last few decades, the frequency and extent of major ecological disturbances like wildfires have been increasing.</p>



<p>“We know with climate change and human activity we’re disturbing our ecosystems more and more,” said study lead author Kristin Barbour. “Microbes, especially those in the surface soil, perform a number of really key ecosystem processes, like carbon and nitrogen cycling.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bacteria and fungi, she said, break down the dead and decaying plant matter on the floor of a field or forest.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Over a year, the researchers observed how bacterial and fungal communities resurfaced in the leaf litter of a burned field.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team noted that these communities underwent changes in accordance with seasonal shifts and the regrowth of plants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Surprisingly, air-driven dispersal was a major factor in the return of these microbial entities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-rain-and-soil">Wind, rain, and soil</h2>



<p>A significant revelation of the study was that the majority of fungal species made their comeback primarily due to dispersal via wind or rain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bacterial communities, however, were influenced by both airborne dispersal and the deeper layers of soil, known as bulk soil.</p>



<p>In the initial months after the wildfire, before any visible plant regrowth, the bacteria predominantly originated from the bulk soil.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These findings indicate that there is an intricate relationship between surface and deeper soil layers in the recovery process post disturbances.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-loma-ridge-fire">The Loma Ridge fire</h2>



<p>Kristin Barbour, who is a PhD student at UC Irvine, initially aimed to study microbes in relation to droughts. But an unforeseen wildfire at Loma Ridge, close to Irvine, changed the focus of her research.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Barbour saw the fire as an opportunity to investigate the repercussions of a phenomenon growing increasingly common due to climate change and human activities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp-0">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team studied two distinct ecosystems post-fire: a semi-arid grassland and a coastal sage scrub.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Utilizing four unique configurations of dispersal bags, they sought to understand microbial movement. These bags were either porous, letting microbes move freely, or sealed, keeping microbes isolated.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some were filled with burned leaf litter, while others had glass slides to capture migrating microbes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-responses-nbsp">Microbial responses&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By analyzing these bags at five different intervals over a year, the researchers observed the microbial activity on the leaf litter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They discovered that microbial responses varied depending on the environment, challenging the ability to generalize the findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recurring-patterns-nbsp">Recurring patterns&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, the experts noted some recurring patterns. When it came to microbes entering the soil surface, 34% of the bacteria and 42% of the fungi were driven primarily by dispersal from the air.</p>



<p>The study also revealed that in the first few months after the fire, before plants had re-emerged, the soil beneath the leaf litter explained the largest share of immigrating bacteria.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study of how microbes move through the environment is an emerging area of research, said Barbour, but one that’s intimately connected to larger issues of how big disturbances change the environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“There’s a lot of exciting work being done right now, looking at dispersal and at microbial communities out in the environment."</p>



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How do microbes return after a wildfire?

A recent study led by the University of California, Irvine...

Gillnet,Attached,To,An,Old,Shipwreck,In,The,Alger,Underwater

<p>In a war against time, archaeologists and historians are vigorously searching to uncover the remnants of shipwrecks and downed aircraft in the Great Lakes region. This undertaking aims to secure and document the crucial pieces of the area's extensive maritime history before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Quagga-Mussels_Dreissena-bugensis_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive quagga</a> mussels obliterate all tangible evidence.</p>



<p>The Great Lakes, which border eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario, have been the victim of these voracious mussels, primarily in the lower Great Lakes, over the last three decades. <a href="https://www.wdhof.org/members/tamara-thomsen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tamara Thomsen</a>, a Wisconsin state maritime archaeologist, warns, “Every shipwreck is covered with quagga mussels in the lower Great Lakes… If you drain the lakes, you’ll get a bowl of quagga mussels.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-quagga-mussels">What are quagga mussels?</h2>



<p>Quagga mussels, originating from Ukraine’s Dnieper River drainage, compromise the integrity of wooden ships by boring through them and stacking up in thick layers, causing structural failures. They also release acids capable of corroding steel and iron vessels. </p>



<p>The destructive power of these small invaders leaves submerged aircraft resembling "Swiss cheese," corroding and burning holes into the remnants, as depicted by Wayne Lusardi, Michigan's state maritime archaeologist.</p>



<p>Lusardi has been actively involved in uncovering more from the 1944 crash site of a World War II aircraft in Lake Huron, piloted by a Tuskegee airman. The prolific presence of quaggas has made this task increasingly crucial, as each uncovered artifact carries with it the visible scars and damages inflicted by these mollusks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-devastating-quagga-invasion">Devastating quagga invasion</h2>



<p>However, Lake Superior remains a bastion against the quagga invasion due to its lower calcium levels, inhibiting the mussels' ability to form their shells. This has offered temporary sanctuary to the remnants of ships like the Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in 1975.</p>



<p>Shipwrecks such as the Cedarville, Carl D. Bradley, and Daniel J. Morrell are just a few examples listed by Lusardi where the relentless mussels have left their mark, obliterating significant portions of the historical wrecks. These ships, which witnessed tragic losses, now face a silent adversary, compromising our ability to study and understand our maritime past.</p>



<p>The focus is not only on vessels but also on submerged aircraft. Divers, since the 1960s, have discovered aircraft so well preserved they could potentially take to the skies again. But the pervasive quagga mussels are fast compromising this underwater time capsule, corroding and consuming these relics.</p>



<p>Great Lakes historians, like Brendon Baillod, are also in a race against time to locate and document ships like the Trinidad, a grain schooner which sank in 1881. This ship, found off Algoma, Wisconsin in July, presented a stark visual of the quagga infestation, the site being "fully carpeted" with them, compromising the integrity of the ship's structure and its identifiable features.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zebra-mussels-are-also-causing-problems">Zebra mussels are also causing problems</h2>



<p>The invasion of quagga mussels, discovered in 1989 alongside the notorious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mussels-reveal-shocking-changes-in-the-river-thames/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zebra mussels</a>, entered the Great Lakes through ballast dumps from transoceanic freighters. They are more resilient, tolerant to lower temperatures, and have larger appetites compared to their zebra counterparts, causing more extensive destruction by consuming plankton and suspended nutrients, which are foundational to food chains in the lakes.</p>



<p>The severe clarity they bring to some parts of the once murky Great Lakes might appear beneficial at first glance, but it is a clear indication of the ecological imbalance and historical destruction caused by these invaders.</p>



<p>The destruction of these maritime artifacts represents a loss of tangible connections to our past, severing the links to the history of port cities like Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago, and Toledo, Ohio. The Great Lakes, which were essential in the settlement and establishment of these cities, are losing their physical narratives to the invasive mussels. </p>



<p>Once these tangible links are gone, we are left with mere memories and written records, making the quest to uncover and preserve them all the more urgent and essential. The rapid pace of this silent destruction underscores the importance of acting now to preserve our submerged heritage before it disappears into the shadows of the past.</p>

Quagga mussel invasion threatens preservation of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes

In a war against time, archaeologists and historians are vigorously...

<p>A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02201-x"><em>Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</em></a> suggests that well-established ecological theories might need to be revised to account for human interference with natural systems.</p>



<p>According to the researchers, due to the cumulative nature of science, theories about the natural world must now be changed to reflect human impacts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distribution-theories">Distribution theories</h2>



<p>In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists crafted theories to predict the ecological distribution of species across various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-have-a-generic-memory-of-their-ancestral-environments/">environments</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The projections were also based on certain variables such as temperature and food availability. These theories, when tested on smaller scales, proved accurate.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depth-zonation-model">Depth zonation model</h2>



<p>One of the earliest theories was focused on coral reef zones. This particular model explains how various fish types or corals are discovered on reefs at differing depths.</p>



<p>Today, advancements in modern computing make it possible for researchers to test these ecological theories on a larger scale.</p>



<p>Scientists from <a href="https://www.bangor.ac.uk/">Bangor University</a> and the US Government National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) set out to verify the depth zonation theory on coral reefs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-influence-nbsp">The human influence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Led by Dr. Laura Richardson, the team analyzed data from 5,525 surveys across 35 Pacific Ocean islands.</p>



<p>The results were alarming. On uninhabited islands with no past or present human activity, the zonation model accurately predicted fish species distribution based on depth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, islands with a history of human habitation revealed an inconsistent pattern, deviating from the predictions of the classical model.</p>



<p>This deviation underscores a pressing concern – the long-standing ecological models may be showing cracks under the weight of local human impacts. These once-reliable frameworks might now be antiquated for a world so profoundly shaped by human actions.</p>



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



<p>“Science is cumulative, building on past work. Now that we have greater computing capabilities, we should be testing these widely accepted but spatially under-validated theories at scale," said Dr. Richardson.</p>



<p>"Moreover the intervening years have seen human impacts on the environment increase to such an extent that these models may no longer predict the ecological distribution patterns we see today."</p>



<p>“This leads to more questions, both about the usefulness of models which represented a world less impacted by human activity, and about how to quantify or model our impact on the natural environment.”</p>



<p>“The results show that now is the time to consider whether and how to include human impacts into our understanding of the natural world today.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-interference-with-the-natural-world">Human interference with the natural world</h2>



<p>Our impact on nature has been a topic of increasing concern in recent decades. The effects of human actions on the environment have led to a myriad of consequences, both direct and indirect.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deforestation">Deforestation</h3>



<p>One of the most visible impacts, deforestation involves clearing large areas of forests for urban development, agriculture, and logging. This results in habitat loss for many species, reduces biodiversity, and affects the global carbon cycle.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution">Pollution</h3>



<p>Ranging from air and water pollution to soil contamination, pollution has severe implications for both human health and the environment. Pollutants can harm aquatic life, affect forest ecosystems, and lead to global issues like acid rain and the greenhouse effect.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change">Climate change</h3>



<p>Largely a result of burning fossil fuels and deforestation, human-induced climate change is leading to rising global temperatures, melting polar ice, and more frequent extreme weather events. Sea level rise and ocean acidification also pose significant threats to marine ecosystems.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overfishing">Overfishing</h3>



<p>Humans have depleted many fish stocks to the point where they cannot regenerate, leading to ecological imbalances in marine ecosystems.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-degradation">Land degradation</h3>



<p>Agriculture, mining, and urban sprawl have resulted in soil erosion, salinization, and other forms of land degradation, which in turn affect agriculture and biodiversity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loss-of-biodiversity">Loss of biodiversity</h3>



<p>Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and introduction of invasive species are all human-induced factors that lead to a decline in biodiversity. This decline has long-term consequences for ecosystems' resilience and functioning.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-usage">Water usage</h3>



<p>Over-extraction of freshwater for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes has led to shrinking lakes, rivers, and groundwater levels, affecting both human populations and ecosystems that rely on these water sources.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waste-production">Waste production</h3>



<p>The massive amounts of waste, including plastics, produced by human societies end up in landfills, oceans, and other ecosystems. This not only poses a threat to wildlife but also contributes to soil and water contamination.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urbanization">Urbanization</h3>



<p>Rapid urban growth without sustainable planning can lead to habitat fragmentation, increased pollution, and strain on local resources.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-agriculture">Chemical agriculture</h3>



<p>The use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in modern agriculture can have detrimental effects on local ecosystems, contaminating waterways and negatively impacting non-target species.</p>



<p>The challenge for society is to find ways to meet human needs and aspirations while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. We can do this by embracing sustainable practices, promoting conservation, and adopting innovative technologies to reduce our ecological footprint.</p>



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Theories about the natural world must be updated due to human interference

A new study published in the journal Nature Ecology &amp;...

<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"><strong>Invisible threat in urban air</strong></h2>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>These findings, published in <em><a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a></em>, 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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."</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>Published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a></em>, 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.</p>



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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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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%.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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<p id="block-1f9a227a-ec37-4140-81b8-ffa4a7cc6689">-----</p>



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



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

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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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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>



<p>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?</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Sources:</strong> <em>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.</em></p>



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



<p><strong>1. Is acid rain completely gone?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>2. How long did solving take?</strong> 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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>5. Could acid rain return?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"?</strong> 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></p>



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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.

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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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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...

<p>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. </p>



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



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>“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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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;</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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. </p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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.”</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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



<p>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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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



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



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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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<p>Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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. </p>



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



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



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

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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