<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...

Toxic,Pollutants,Inside,The,Human,Body,And,Eating,Pollutants,As

<p>A comprehensive analysis by The Guardian has cast a grim light on the state of air quality across Europe. Leveraging advanced techniques, such as satellite imaging and data from over 1,400 ground monitoring stations, the investigative report indicates that nearly the entirety of Europe's population is breathing in dangerously toxic, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/safe-air-pollution-levels-can-elevate-heart-attack-risk-within-one-hour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polluted air</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-from-the-toxic-air-study">Key findings from the toxic air study</h2>



<ul>
<li>A staggering 98% of Europeans are residing in zones where the concentration of fine particle pollution surpasses the recommended limits set by the <a href="https://www.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> (WHO).<br></li>



<li>Two-thirds of the population is living in areas where the air pollution is over double the safety standards of WHO.<br></li>



<li>North Macedonia stands out as the most severely affected country. Here, almost two-thirds of its populace lives in locales where PM2.5 levels (fine particulate matter) exceed WHO’s recommended levels by four times.<br></li>



<li>Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is amongst the four regions where the pollution levels are almost six times higher than the advised WHO standards.<br></li>



<li>Eastern Europe, with Italy being the sole exception, faces more significant challenges concerning air pollution compared to Western Europe. Disturbingly, over a third of inhabitants in the Po Valley and its neighboring northern territories are breathing in air that contains quadruple the safe amount of the most perilous airborne particles.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-pm2-5-and-why-is-it-critical">What is PM2.5 and why is it critical?</h2>



<p>The PM2.5 particles, which are chiefly generated from fossil fuel combustion, are minuscule enough to infiltrate the lungs and subsequently enter the bloodstream. This intrusion poses a direct threat to numerous organs in the human body.</p>



<p>At present, WHO's annual average permissible limit for PM2.5 stands at 5 micrograms per cubic meter. This investigation reveals that a mere 2% of Europe's total population resides in areas that align with this guideline. Worryingly, experts attribute PM2.5 pollution to causing upwards of 400,000 deaths annually across Europe.</p>



<p>Professor Roel Vermeulen of <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a>, the head researcher, remarked, “It's evident that virtually every individual in Europe is inhaling air that is detrimental to their health."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-european-response-to-toxic-air">The European response to toxic air</h2>



<p>Air pollution has been an enduring concern for Europe. In response to the rising crisis, the European Parliament has initiated steps to align with the WHO's global PM2.5 standard by 2035. This move, currently under deliberation, proposes to adjust the limit to 5 micrograms per cubic meter, a significant decrease from the existing 25 micrograms per cubic meter.</p>



<p>Furthermore, recent studies have unveiled alarming results, revealing that urban-dwelling youth possess billions of fatal air pollution particles in their hearts. Another concerning statistic points to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breast-cancer-incidence-linked-to-high-particulate-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution</a> being responsible for 1 million stillbirths every year.</p>



<p>Dr. Hanna Boogaard, a renowned European air pollution specialist from the US <a href="https://www.healtheffects.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health Effects Institute</a>, emphasized the significance of this new analysis. She believes it will be instrumental in framing the dialogue about Europe's air pollution, which she asserts results in hundreds of thousands of deaths yearly.</p>



<p>In her words, “Such fatalities can be averted. Moreover, this figure doesn't take into account the millions afflicted by non-lethal illnesses, disabilities, hospital admissions, or the adverse impacts of other pollutants.”</p>



<p>The findings from this study underline the urgency and magnitude of the air pollution crisis in Europe, calling for immediate and effective interventions.</p>



<p>---</p>



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Almost everyone in Europe breathes toxic air

A comprehensive analysis by The Guardian has cast a grim...

Rafflesia,,The,Biggest,Flower,In,The,World,,,Sumatra,,Indonesia

<p>The Rafflesia, colloquially known as the "corpse flower" for its pungent aroma, is the world's largest and smelliest flower -- and it is in imminent danger of extinction. </p>



<p>A recent paper published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppp3.10431" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants, People, Planet</a> has sounded the alarm, revealing that current conservation efforts are far from sufficient to protect these unique botanical wonders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-of-the-rafflesia-study">Key findings of the Rafflesia study</h2>



<p>The study constitutes the first comprehensive evaluation of the threats facing Rafflesia species globally. Researchers found that out of the 42 known species, 25 are categorized as critically endangered, 15 as endangered, and two as vulnerable. </p>



<p>Strikingly, the <a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Union for the Conservation of Nature</a> (IUCN) has recognized only one species, Rafflesia magnifica, as critically endangered.</p>



<p>One of the most startling revelations of the study was that "60% of Rafflesia species face a severe risk of extinction and at least 67% of known habitats fall outside protected areas, exacerbating their vulnerability," according to the report.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-neglected-plant-kingdom">A neglected plant kingdom</h2>



<p>Dr. Chris Thorogood, from the <a href="https://www.obga.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford Botanic Garden</a> and a co-author of the study, emphasized the disparity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-plants-on-earth-could-be-saved-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a> between plant and animal species. </p>



<p>Thorogood stated, "We urgently need a joined-up, cross-regional approach to save some of the world’s most remarkable flowers, most of which are now on the brink of being lost."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ephemeral-nature-of-rafflesia">The ephemeral nature of Rafflesia</h2>



<p>Adding to the sense of urgency is the elusive life cycle of corpse flower plants. Many Rafflesia species remain mostly hidden, subsisting within jungle vines that they parasitize for nutrients. </p>



<p>Their populations are often critically small, with some estimated to consist of only a few hundred members. Alarmingly, researchers warn that "taxa are still being eradicated before they are even known to science."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-communities-and-ecotourism">Local communities and ecotourism</h2>



<p>The paper also highlights the potential for local communities, particularly indigenous peoples, to play an instrumental role in conservation efforts. </p>



<p>Adriane Tobias, a Filipino forester and co-author of the study, stressed that, "Rafflesia conservation programs are far more likely to be successful if they engage local communities. Rafflesia has the potential to be a new icon for conservation in the Asian tropics."</p>



<p>The study suggests that ecotourism could serve as an added incentive for local communities to engage in conservation work. This creates a win-win situation for both the flower and the people living in proximity to its natural habitats.</p>



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



<p>The researchers urged immediate steps to improve the understanding of existing species, enhance protection of their natural habitats, and develop new techniques for their propagation. The paper calls for a unified, global effort to save this awe-inspiring yet highly vulnerable genus from the brink of extinction.</p>



<p>In summary, the study paints a grim picture for the Rafflesia. Its endangered status can only be changed through swift, coordinated, and comprehensive conservation actions. The world stands to lose not just a biological marvel, but also a potential symbol of ecological preservation if efforts are not escalated immediately.</p>



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



<p>Rafflesia, often dubbed the "corpse flower", captures the attention of botanists and enthusiasts alike. This plant is not just impressive for its size, but also for its peculiar characteristics. Found primarily in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, this unique flower showcases nature's eccentricities in full bloom.</p>



<p>At first glance, Rafflesia's sheer size astounds most observers. Some species, like the Rafflesia arnoldii, boast flowers that can reach up to a meter in diameter. But what truly sets it apart is its lifestyle. Lacking conventional plant structures such as leaves, stems, and roots, Rafflesia leads a parasitic life. Instead of synthesizing its own food through photosynthesis, it draws nutrients from the Tetrastigma vines.</p>



<p>Yet, it's the flower's peculiar odor that has earned it the nickname "corpse flower". Emitting a strong scent reminiscent of decaying flesh, Rafflesia attracts carrion flies for pollination. These insects, lured by the smell, enter the flower in search of a meal, inadvertently aiding in the plant's reproduction.</p>



<p>However, as mentioned above, Rafflesia now faces significant challenges. Deforestation and habitat destruction threaten its existence. Recent studies have shown that many species remain unprotected and at risk of extinction. Local communities, recognizing the flower's potential as an ecotourism draw, play an essential role in its conservation.</p>



<p>Rafflesia stands as a testament to nature's ability to surprise and fascinate. As efforts to conserve this botanical marvel intensify, it serves as a vivid reminder of the wonders the natural world holds and our responsibility to protect them.</p>



<p>---</p>



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The corpse flower, smelliest flower on Earth, is at grave risk of extinction

The Rafflesia, colloquially known as the "corpse flower" for its...

Climate,Change,Withered,Earth

<p>The recent global climate anomalies -- raging wildfires, destructive floods, and scorching heatwaves -- have accentuated the ever-growing concern about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. As discussions and debates intensify, the crux of the matter remains: How can we effectively communicate the complexities of climate change science to the masses?</p>



<p>A recent study, led by Steph Courtney and Karen McNeal and published in <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geosphere/article/doi/10.1130/GES02517.1/628200/Seeing-is-believing-Climate-change-graph-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geosphere</a>, offers a compelling perspective on this subject. Both experts in their field, with Courtney specializing in science education and communication, their focus is on the impact of data visualization in portraying climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication-over-complexity">Communication over complexity</h2>



<p>Courtney believes that while scientific excitement is inevitable, it doesn't always resonate with many outside the scientific community. </p>



<p>She emphasizes, “Your communication goal is more important than how cool you think your graph is.” Her statement underscores the significance of tailoring scientific communication to cater to diverse audiences, ensuring comprehension and evoking concern.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reimagining-the-ipcc-graphs">Reimagining the IPCC graphs</h2>



<p>Their research revolved around redesigning three graphs from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar5/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fifth Assessment Report</a>. </p>



<p>The objective was to assess the redesigned graph’s usability and understand its effect on viewers' perceptions of scientist trustworthiness and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drought-to-downpour-climate-change-triggers-extreme-weather-shifts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change risks</a>. This, they believed, could directly impact the viewers' knowledge and their subsequent actions towards climate change.</p>



<p>The research was methodically executed with multiple rounds of user testing, encompassing surveys, eye-tracking techniques, ranking tasks, and interviews.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-aesthetics-and-credibility">Balancing aesthetics and credibility</h2>



<p>While the usability of the redesigned charts was comparable to the original, the redesigned versions were perceived as more trustworthy. One revamped design even heightened users' concerns about climate change. </p>



<p>Courtney addresses a prevailing misconception stating, "Pretty is fine. Understandable and attractive graphs can be trustworthy."</p>



<p>The research showed that while viewers preferred familiar figure formats, even minute deviations from standard charts posed confusion. Color coding emerged as a powerful tool, enhancing understanding and bolstering the chart's credibility. </p>



<p>Moreover, while explanatory texts aided comprehension, it was cautioned that too much text could lead to visual clutter. This overshadows the message behind the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-climate-change-happening-too-fast-for-birds-to-keep-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> science.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-changes-big-impact">Small changes, big impact</h2>



<p>What's noteworthy is that the research predominantly incorporated subtle changes to the graphs to pinpoint which alterations were most effective. Despite the subtlety, some revisions substantially enhanced the graphs’ impact. </p>



<p>Courtney stresses, “Little changes that take just a bit of effort can make the science more accessible and meaningful to people. Communication is not the only barrier in addressing climate change, but it is an area we can stand to improve -- and it is worthwhile.”</p>



<p>Looking ahead, Courtney anticipates future research to delve into more ambitious graph modifications, based on climate scientists' foremost priorities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/media-coverage-of-climate-change-fails-to-inspire-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public comprehension</a>. With plans to share her findings with the IPCC, Courtney's work is poised to influence their subsequent assessment reports.</p>



<p>In summary, as the world grapples with the looming challenge of climate change, ensuring effective communication becomes pivotal. As this research demonstrates, sometimes a clearer, more comprehensible graph could be the catalyst for change, urging individuals to act.</p>



<p>---</p>



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Clear and dynamic visuals are important when presenting climate change science

The recent global climate anomalies -- raging wildfires, destructive floods,...

<p>Freshwater mussels, known for their sensitivity to water quality changes, may be at heightened risk due to the impacts of increasing sea levels on coastal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hypoxia-is-a-serious-problem-in-rivers-worldwide/">rivers</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A recent investigation has shed light on the potential dangers that these species, along with other salt-sensitive organisms, face in the wake of climate-induced sea level changes.</p>



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



<p>The goal of the research, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.5731"><em>Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry</em></a>, was to understand the threshold of sea salt concentration that could jeopardize the survival of juvenile mussels.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This information is crucial in understanding the implications of rising sea levels on these species and the ecosystems they inhabit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-salinity-levels-nbsp">Increased salinity levels&nbsp;</h2>



<p>"Sea levels across the planet are rising, particularly along the eastern coast of the United States. Climate-induced sea level rise can result in the inundation and intrusion of seawater into freshwater drainages. This would alter salinity regimes and lead to the salinization of coastal freshwater ecosystems," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Increased salinity levels in freshwater can negatively affect freshwater-dependent species, including native mussels belonging to the order Unionida, which are highly sensitive to changes in water quality."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Sea salt is largely made up of sodium and chloride ions, forming sodium chloride, a known toxicant to freshwater mussels. However, sea salt is a mixture that also contains other major ions, including potassium, sulfate, calcium, strontium, and magnesium, among others."</p>



<p>"Freshwater mussels exposed to sea salt would be exposed to each of the sea salt ions at the same time, resulting in a mixture toxicity effect. The mixture toxicity of these ions on early life stages of freshwater mussels is largely unknown because most research to date has evaluated individual salt ions in relative isolation."&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>To investigate, the researchers conducted acute toxicity tests on early life stages (glochidia and juvenile) of three freshwater mussel species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The southeastern coast of the US became the focal point of the study, given that this region has observed a consistent sea-level rise, ranging from 2 to 6mm annually.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The study revealed that salt water is toxic to both glochidia and juvenile life stages of freshwater mussels, with glochidia being the most sensitive life stage.</p>



<p>This is consistent with previous research that has shown glochidia to be the most sensitive life stage and that glochidia are more sensitive to sodium chloride than juveniles, noted the researchers.</p>



<p>By identifying the toxic levels of salt water for mussels at different stages of their life cycle, the study offers a roadmap for conservation initiatives. Such insights could pave the way for developing better strategies that factor in the challenges of sea level rise and the subsequent saltwater intrusion.</p>



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



<p>Study co-author Joseph McIver from North Carolina State University emphasized the global significance of the issue.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Climate change represents a serious threat to our aquatic ecosystems worldwide and the organisms that live there,” said McIver.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Protecting and conserving our already highly imperiled freshwater mussels is of paramount importance and our research on the effects of salinity and sea level rise will hopefully contribute valuable information toward these goals.”</p>



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



<p>The potential ramifications of sea level rise stretch beyond mussels and could reshape the balance of entire ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As freshwater sources face the threat of increased salinity, a ripple effect may be felt throughout the food chain, impacting not only salt-sensitive species but also the larger web of life they support.</p>



<p>Protecting vulnerable species like freshwater mussels may be a small piece of a much larger puzzle, but it is a critical step towards preserving the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems.</p>



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How freshwater mussels are threatened by sea-level rise

Freshwater mussels, known for their sensitivity to water quality changes,...

<p>Researchers have discovered that two common birds are developing smaller eyes - most likely as a response to urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-exposes-migrating-birds-to-toxic-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a>. The species are the Northern Cardinal and Carolina Wren, both of which inhabit urban areas around the country. </p>



<p>Remarkably, these birds were found to have eyes that were about 5% smaller than their counterparts living on the outskirts of the city. This contrasts with two migratory species, the Painted Bunting and White-eyed Vireo, which showed no variance in eye size based on their urban or suburban habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-declining-bird-populations">Declining bird populations</h2>



<p>The implications of these findings are profound, especially in the context of the worrying decline of bird populations across the U.S.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to past research, the U.S. and Canada have witnessed a devastating reduction of 29% - or 3 billion birds - since 1970.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although habitat fragmentation has been identified as the primary culprit, this new research suggests that human-generated sensory pollutants, particularly light, could also be influencing birds' ability to thrive in urban settings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-birds-eyes">Studying birds' eyes</h2>



<p>"This study shows that residential birds may adapt over time to urban areas, but migratory birds are not adapting, probably because where they spend the winter--they are less likely to have the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-biting-season-extended-by-light-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-caused light</a> and noise pressures. It may make it more difficult for them to adjust to city life during the breeding season,” explained study senior author Jennifer Phillips, a wildlife ecologist at <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a>. </p>



<p>For the investigation, Phillips collaborated with Todd Jones and Alfredo Llamas from Texas A&amp;M University, San Antonio. The trio analyzed over 500 birds, comparing body and eye sizes. They also evaluated the noise and light measurements of each habitat.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Interestingly, no notable differences were detected in the body sizes of birds from various locations, except for the Painted Bunting. This discrepancy, the researchers concluded, was primarily age-driven.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Younger male buntings, struggling in the mating competition, were more frequently found in brighter, louder city centers, presumably less sought-after habitats.</p>



<p>This research is the first to link urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-is-a-growing-issue-for-migratory-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a> to physiological adaptations in birds, specifically eye size. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-with-smaller-eye-size">Birds with smaller eye size</h2>



<p>The smaller eye size may enable birds to deal with the brighter and more constant light in city environments, said Jones, the study’s first author who is now a post-doctoral fellow at the Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to Jones, birds with bigger eyes can be somewhat blinded by the glare of city lights or be unable to sleep well, putting them at a disadvantage in urban areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unintended-consequences-nbsp">Unintended consequences&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Humans may have some unintended consequences on birds that we don’t realize,” said Jones. “We don’t know if these adaptations could have good or bad consequences for the birds down the road, considering that urban environments aren’t going away anytime soon."</p>



<p>"It is also important to understand how to manage such environments for the birds that maybe aren't urban adapted.”</p>



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



<p>With the support of a $2.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, Phillips is leading a team to investigate the effect of both light and noise pollution across multiple bird species.</p>



<p>The team will investigate how light and noise affects the birds’ stress levels, sleep hormones, song structure, aggression levels, and overall fitness.</p>



<p>“We want to know whether patterns at molecular and behavioral scales affect fitness or not. Essentially, we're trying to understand what are the benefits and costs to these animals living in a sensory polluted world,” said Phillips.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16935" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Global Change Biology</em></a>.</p>



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City birds are developing smaller eyes due to light pollution

Researchers have discovered that two common birds are developing smaller...

Macro,Shot,Of,Dead,Bumblebee,With,Its,Parasites

<p>Australia has announced a significant policy shift in its approach to handling the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-causing-honey-bee-colony-collapse-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee parasites</a>, Varroa mites. Previously focused on eradication, the country will now concentrate on managing the deadly pest's spread. </p>



<p>The decision comes after the pest posed increasing challenges to the country's pollination sector and beekeepers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-the-outbreak">History of the outbreak</h2>



<p>The Varroa mite was first discovered in Newcastle, New South Wales, in June 2022. Since then, almost 30,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-emerge-from-hibernation-6-5-days-earlier-for-each-degree-of-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee</a> hives have been euthanized in an attempt to curb its spread, according to reports by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-tactics">Changing tactics</h2>



<p>On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.outbreak.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Management Group</a>, responsible for controlling the Varroa mite's distribution in Australia, reached a unanimous decision to alter its approach to this biosecurity challenge. </p>



<p>The shift was influenced by the non-compliance of some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-beekeeping-is-equally-productive-as-methods-using-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beekeepers</a> and a recent surge in new detections across large areas. The group stated that these challenges rendered eradication strategies impractical.</p>



<p>The New South Wales (NSW) government expressed concerns, stating that new detections signaled a more widespread infestation than initially believed. They emphasized that eradicating the Varroa mite is no longer a viable option. The focus now lies on collaborative efforts to manage and reduce its adverse effects.</p>



<p>The management group disclosed that an interim approach would be employed by NSW to mitigate the effects and decelerate the spread of the mite. Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/plant/health/committees/ccepp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests</a> is tasked with formulating a fresh response strategy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-implications">Economic implications</h2>



<p>Australia's pollination industry, particularly vital for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-threatens-solitary-bees-and-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">commercial crops</a> like almonds, apples, and avocados, is heavily reliant on European honey bees. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-bees-endangered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> are transported in vast numbers during the spring flowering season to facilitate plant pollination. The policy change implies a probable surge in the costs associated with pollinating these crops.</p>



<p>A widespread mite infection poses a substantial threat to wild European bee nests and numerous managed hives not resistant to the parasite. The Australian government has warned of potential pollination deficits and potential annual losses exceeding A$70 million.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-of-varroa-response-strategy">Cost of Varroa response strategy</h2>



<p>The fight against the Varroa mite has been costly. The response strategy alone has consumed A$132 million, marking it as Australia's most significant biosecurity outbreak. Remarkably, until this outbreak, Australia was the lone continent that had remained untouched by the menacing mite.</p>



<p>Australia's transition from eradication to management strategies underscores the challenges the nation faces from the Varroa mite. As the country navigates these uncharted waters, collaboration, innovative strategies, and global insights will be vital to safeguarding its vital pollination sector.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-varroa-mites">More about Varroa mites</h2>



<p>Varroa mites have emerged as one of the most formidable threats to honeybee populations worldwide. These tiny pests, barely visible to the naked eye, have wreaked havoc in bee colonies, leading to significant declines in bee numbers and jeopardizing the world's pollination system. But what are these mites, and why do they pose such a significant threat?</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-introduction-to-varroa-mites">Introduction to Varroa mites</h3>



<p>Varroa mites, scientifically known as <em>Varroa destructor</em>, are reddish-brown parasites that attach themselves to honeybees. They specifically target the fat bodies of bees, a critical tissue that performs functions similar to a mammal's liver.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-varroa-mites-affect-honeybees">How Varroa mites affect honeybees</h3>



<p>Varroa mites latch onto adult bees and feed on their fat bodies, weakening the bees and shortening their lifespan. But the damage doesn't stop there. When these mites infest bee larvae, they can deform the emerging adults, leading to bees with disabled wings or other deformities.</p>



<p>Moreover, as they feed, varroa mites transmit deadly viruses such as the Deformed Wing Virus. These viruses further weaken the bee colonies, often leading to the collapse of entire hives.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-spread-of-varroa-mites">The global spread of Varroa mites</h3>



<p>Originally from Southeast Asia, varroa mites have found their way across the globe. They first infested European honeybees in the 1960s and quickly spread, reaching North America by the 1980s. </p>



<p>Due to their rapid proliferation and the ease with which they spread, varroa mites now affect bee colonies on every continent. As discussed earlier in this article, Australia is the last to report their presence, and they have given up on their eradication program.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-varroa-mites-are-a-cause-for-concern">Why Varroa mites are a cause for concern</h3>



<p>Honeybees play a pivotal role in pollinating many of the crops that humans consume daily. From fruits and vegetables to nuts and seeds, bees ensure the reproduction of these plants. </p>



<p>With the decline in bee populations due to varroa mites, food production faces potential threats. A decrease in pollination can lead to reduced yields and increased food prices, affecting economies and food security.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-back-against-varroa-mites">Fighting back against Varroa mites</h3>



<p>Beekeepers and scientists actively search for ways to combat varroa mites. Some methods include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Chemical Treatments: Many beekeepers use miticides to reduce mite populations. However, overreliance can lead to mites developing resistance to these chemicals.<br></li>



<li>Biological Controls: Researchers are studying the potential use of natural predators, such as certain strains of fungi, to target and kill varroa mites.<br></li>



<li>Bee Breeding: Efforts are underway to breed honeybees that display natural resistance or grooming behaviors that help them remove and kill mites from their bodies.</li>
</ul>



<p>Varroa mites pose a clear and present danger to global bee populations, affecting not only the bees but also the broader ecosystem and human food sources. As the world grapples with this challenge, it requires a combination of innovative strategies, global collaboration, and increased awareness to safeguard our invaluable pollinators from this menace.</p>



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Australia gives up on efforts to eradicate Varroa mites, which are wiping out bee colonies

Australia has announced a significant policy shift in its approach...

Genuine,Mined,Natural,Pink,Sapphire,Oval,Shape,Cutting,For,Design

<p>Western Australian scientists have recently unearthed a tantalizing story behind the formation of pink diamonds, connecting it to the ancient supercontinent, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australia-north-america-supercontinent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nuna</a>, and the mysterious geological activities it experienced over 1.3 billion years ago. </p>



<p>The detailed study, showcased in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40904-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Natural Communications</a>, brings to light the secrets behind the coveted pink diamond.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pink-diamond-enigma">The pink diamond enigma</h2>



<p>Pink diamonds, with their mesmerizing hue, are not only rare but also different in nature compared to their blue or yellow counterparts. </p>



<p>While the latter derive their colors from impurities like nitrogen and boron, the allure of pink diamonds stems from their uniquely bent crystalline structure. This very aspect makes them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, with prices for the highest grade reaching into the tens of millions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-depths-of-the-argyle-deposit">The depths of the Argyle Deposit</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.gia.edu/doc/Discovery-and-Mining-of-the-Argyle-Diamond-Deposit-Australia.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argyle diamond deposit</a> in Western Australia served as the playground for this groundbreaking research. The lead study author, Dr. Hugo Olierook, from Curtin University's <a href="https://jdlc.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John de Laeter Center</a>, shared intriguing insights into the discovery. </p>



<p>"The area where Argyle is situated underwent stretching during the continent's formative years," he said. This stretching along scars created openings in the Earth's crust, through which magma surged upwards, bringing the precious pink diamonds to the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collision-and-transformation">Collision and transformation</h2>



<p>The study posits that the reason behind the pink coloration of these diamonds is linked to a monumental collision. </p>



<p>Around 1.8 billion years ago, Western Australia and Northern Australia collided in a cataclysmic event. This impact is believed to have been the catalyst that transformed once-colorless diamonds into their pink variants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-age-new-pink-diamond-findings">New age, new pink diamond findings</h2>



<p>Utilizing advanced laser technology, the scientists analyzed minerals and rocks from the Argyle deposit. Their research pinpointed the formation of the pink-diamond site to the period when Nuna was breaking apart. </p>



<p>This discovery also corrected a previously held belief. Olierook mentioned, "Our findings indicate that Argyle is 1.3 billion years old, which is a hundred million years older than what was previously estimated."</p>



<p>In the quest to understand the age of these rocks, researchers in the 1980s attempted studies, but technical limitations led them to an approximated age of 1.2 billion years. </p>



<p>Interestingly, Olierook's team, equipped with cutting-edge technology, found resonating similarities with this older study. This lends credence to both sets of findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-treasures-await">Hidden treasures await</h2>



<p>One of the most captivating revelations from Dr. Olierook's research pertains to the Argyle deposit's unique position. "Argyle is situated at the meeting point of two ancient continents," Olierook explains. </p>



<p>These boundaries are often obscured by sand and soil, suggesting that more pink diamond-laden volcanoes might remain hidden, waiting to be discovered, perhaps even within Australia.</p>



<p>The allure of pink diamonds has always been entwined with tales of luxury and rarity. But now, thanks to the relentless pursuits of scientists like Dr. Hugo Olierook and his team, we also understand the profound geological tapestry behind these gems, weaving a story that began over a billion years ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-supercontinent-nuna">More about supercontinent Nuna</h2>



<p>Long before our current continents took shape, Nuna, an ancient supercontinent, graced our planet's surface. Scientists believe Nuna existed around 1.6 to 2.5 billion years ago, predating even the famous Pangea by a considerable margin.</p>



<p>Researchers actively map Nuna's formation by piecing together geological and paleomagnetic data. These clues suggest that Nuna brought together fragments of what we now identify as North America, northern Europe, and parts of Siberia.</p>



<p>What makes Nuna's story especially captivating is its dynamic nature. Throughout its lifespan, the supercontinent experienced multiple cycles of coming together and breaking apart. Each phase of assembly and dispersal reshaped the Earth's surface. These changes gave rise to new geological formations, laying the groundwork for subsequent continents.</p>



<p>One of the most intriguing findings about Nuna lies in its connection to Earth's atmospheric evolution. As Nuna formed, volcanic activities increased. These volcanoes released vast amounts of carbon dioxide, playing a pivotal role in shaping the planet's early atmospheric conditions and potentially influencing the course of life.</p>



<p>Today, researchers continue to uncover Nuna's secrets, hoping to gain deeper insights into our planet's formative years. Every discovery not only reshapes our understanding of Earth's history but also underlines the ever-evolving nature of our home planet.</p>



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Pink diamonds were formed when supercontinent Nuna broke up

Western Australian scientists have recently unearthed a tantalizing story behind...

<p>A groundbreaking study led by <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a> has recently reshaped astrophysicists’ understanding of the “feeding habits” of supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-closest-black-hole-has-been-discovered/">black holes</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Contrary to earlier beliefs that these black holes “eat” slowly, new high-definition 3D simulations suggest a much quicker consumption rate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumption-cycle">Consumption cycle</h2>



<p>According to new high-resolution 3D simulations, spinning black holes contort the surrounding space-time, ultimately ripping apart the gas whirlpool - known as the accretion disk - that orbits and nourishes them. This tumult results in the formation of inner and outer subdisks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The black holes voraciously consume the inner subdisk first. Subsequently, debris from the outer subdisk cascades inward, filling the void left by the ingested inner ring, marking the beginning of another consumption cycle.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erratic-behavior-nbsp">Erratic behavior&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Although scientists have long thought that this process spans hundreds of years, this new study shows that eating and refilling happens surprisingly quickly, taking just a few months.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Such rapid cycles might elucidate the erratic behavior of some of the brightest objects in the night sky, such as quasars, which abruptly flare up and then disappear without explanation.</p>



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



<p>“Classical accretion disk theory predicts that the disk evolves slowly,” said lead author Nick Katz, a graduate student in astronomy at Northwestern. “But some quasars - which result from black holes eating gas from their accretion disks - appear to drastically change over time scales of months to years."</p>



<p>"This variation is so drastic. It looks like the inner part of the disk - where most of the light comes from - gets destroyed and then replenished."</p>



<p>"Classical accretion disk theory cannot explain this drastic variation. But the phenomena we see in our simulations potentially could explain this. The quick brightening and dimming are consistent with the inner regions of the disk being destroyed.”</p>



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



<p>Historically, understanding the physics of accretion disks - the orbiting gas structures that feed black holes – has been extremely challenging. Past theories struggled to delineate the intermittent brightness and sudden dimming of these disks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As a consequence, previous research has often oversimplified their structure and behavior, treating them as much more orderly structures as they actually are. The longstanding assumption was that gas and particles orbited black holes in the same plane as the black hole and in the same direction as the black hole’s spin.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“For decades, people made a very big assumption that accretion disks were aligned with the black hole’s rotation,” Katz said. “But the gas that feeds these black holes doesn’t necessarily know which way the black hole is rotating, so why would they automatically be aligned? Changing the alignment drastically changes the picture.”</p>



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



<p>In one of the most detailed simulations of its kind, the researchers found that the region around black holes is in fact highly chaotic and tumultuous.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Using Summit, a leading supercomputer at <a href="https://www.ornl.gov/">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a>, they crafted a realistic model that factored in gas dynamics, magnetism, and general relativity.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The results highlighted the effects of frame-dragging, a phenomenon where spinning black holes drag surrounding space, creating an environment where gas from different parts of the disk collide, driving material closer to the black hole.</p>



<p>“Black holes are extreme general relativistic objects that affect space-time around them. So, when they rotate, they drag the space around them like a giant carousel and force it to rotate as well - a phenomenon called ‘frame-dragging.’ This creates a really strong effect close to the black hole that becomes increasingly weaker farther away,” Katz explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-violent-shocks-nbsp">Violent shocks&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Frame-digging makes the entire disk wobble in circles, in a similar way in which a gyroscope precesses. However, since the inner disk attempts to wobble much faster than the outer parts, this mismatch of forces causes the entire disk to warp, making gas from different parts of the disk to collide. These collisions create bright shocks which violently drive material increasingly closer to the black hole.</p>



<p>As the warping becomes more pronounced, the accretion disk’s innermost region continues to wobble increasingly faster until it separates from the rest of the disk. Afterwards, the subdisks start evolving independently from one another at different speeds and angles like the wheels in a gyroscope.</p>



<p>“When the inner disk tears off, it will precess independently. It precesses faster because it’s closer to the black hole and because it’s small, so it’s easier to move,” Katz said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-frenzy">Feeding frenzy</h2>



<p>In the simulation, the “feeding frenzy” truly begins in the tearing region, where the inner and outer subdisks split.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“There is competition between the rotation of the black hole and the friction and pressure inside the disk. The tearing region is where the black hole wins. The inner and outer disks collide into each other. The outer disk shaves off layers of the inner disk, pushing it inwards,” Katz explained.</p>



<p>The subdisks now meet at varying angles. Material from the outer disk cascades onto the inner disk. This additional weight propels the inner disk closer to the black hole, leading to its consumption. Subsequently, the gravitational force of the black hole attracts gas from the outer section to replenish the previously emptied inner area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-look-quasars-nbsp">Changing-look quasars&nbsp;</h2>



<p>According to the experts, the rapid sequences of eat-refill-eat might provide insights into the mysterious “changing-look” quasars.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Defined by their intense luminosity, quasars release energy that is about 1,000 times greater than the cumulative energy of the 200 billion to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way. Changing-look quasars take this extremity a notch higher.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Remarkably, these celestial objects seem to switch between their bright and dark states in just a few months - quite a short time span for a regular quasar.</p>



<p>While classical theories present certain assumptions about the rate at which accretion disks brighten or dim, the observed behaviors of changing-look quasars hint at an even brisker transformation pace.</p>



<p>“The inner region of an accretion disk, where most of the brightness comes from, can totally disappear - really quickly over months,” Kaaz said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We basically see it go away entirely. The system stops being bright. Then, it brightens again and the process repeats. Conventional theory doesn’t have any way to explain why it disappears in the first place, and it doesn’t explain how it refills so quickly.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enduring-mysteries-nbsp">Enduring mysteries&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, these novel simulations offer more than just a better understanding of quasars. They might also unravel some of the enduring mysteries surrounding black holes.</p>



<p>“How gas gets to a black hole to feed it is the central question in accretion-disk physics. If you know how that happens, it will tell you how long the disk lasts, how bright it is and what the light should look like when we observe it with telescopes,” Katz concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0004-637X"><em>The</em> <em>Astrophysical Journal</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Feeding frenzy: Study reveals the eating habits of black holes

A groundbreaking study led by Northwestern University has recently reshaped...

<p>By surveying populations of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard in 18 mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/">University of Arizona</a> has found that climate change is currently causing extinctions at an increasing, worrisome rate.</p>



<p>“The magnitude of extinction we found over the past seven years was similar to that seen in other studies that spanned almost 70 years,” said senior author John J. Wiens, a professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Arizona.</p>



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



<p>The Yarrow’s spiny lizard is native to southwestern U.S. and western Mexico and can be found in oak and pine forests in 18 of Arizona’s Sky Island mountains.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts initially conducted surveys of this lizard in 2014 and 2015, followed by resurveys in 2021 and 2022, which aimed to assess if there had been any changes in the lizard populations since then.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The investigations revealed that about half of the lizard populations living at lower elevations had disappeared. According to Wiens, this happened because temperatures are higher at lower elevations and the lizards living there were unable to tolerate the increasing heat.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-rate">Extinction rate</h2>



<p>Thus, this loss of low-elevation lizard populations is yet another signature pattern of climate change (along with declines in myriad other species). “The rate of extinction in such a short time period was shocking,” said Wiens.</p>



<p>By comparing these findings with historical data from the same mountain ranges, the researchers discovered that the average extinction rate of the lizard populations at low elevations had nearly tripled over the past seven years, relative to the preceding 42 years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While previous studies have already predicted that climate-driven extinctions will increase as global warming accelerates, such an extraordinary rate of extinction has not been observed before.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>By 2025, a distinct three-million-year-old lineage of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard from the Mule Mountains could be completely extinct.</p>



<p>“The low-elevation populations in the Mules were fine in 2014. Now the only ones that we have found left were within about 300 feet of the top of the mountain in 2022, and they appear to have been losing about 170 feet per year,” Wiens explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greater-genetic-variability-nbsp">Greater genetic variability&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Fortunately, not all low-elevation populations went extinct between the two surveys. For instance, two populations found at very low elevations survived.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Genomic analyses of data collected in 2014 and 2015 revealed that the populations that were less genetically variable and were exposed to greater climate change effects were the ones that tended to go extinct.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This suggests that populations with higher genetic variability are more resilient and able to adapt to climate change.</p>



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



<p>In future research, the experts are planning to further examine the extinction and survival mechanisms of the Yarrow’s spiny lizards living in these mountain ranges, as well as to conduct similar studies with other lizards living in ever warmer places, such as California’s infamous Death Valley.</p>



<p>According to Wiens, it is critical to study the impacts of climate change on biodiversity at shorter timescales rather than looking for changes after tens of years have already passed.</p>



<p>“We’ve shown now that there can be devastating climate change effects over very short time periods,” he&nbsp;concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.14303">Ecology Letters</a>.</p>



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Three-million-year-old lineage of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard is nearly extinct

By surveying populations of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard in 18...

<p>The Hintereisferner, a sentinel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-doomsday-glacier-is-melting-from-below/">glacier</a> nestled at the rear of the Tyrolean Ötztal in the Alps, has been monitored for more than 100 years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There are continuous records of the glacier's mass balance dating back to 1952, and these records have been the focus of decades of climate research at the <a href="https://www.uibk.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Innsbruck</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scanning-technology">Scanning technology</h2>



<p>What sets apart the research at Hintereisferner from other glacier studies is the technology used by scientists.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since 2016, a unique system - a terrestrial laser scanner - has been scanning the glacier's surface daily, registering real-time elevation changes. This provides experts with a precise record of its volume fluctuations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-loss-day-nbsp">Glacier Loss Day&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Annelies Voordendag, the lead glaciologist from Innsbruck, introduced a term that represents the balance of the glacier: "Glacier Loss Day" or GLD. This term symbolizes the day when the ice accumulated during winter begins to melt.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Tracking the volume and mass changes of a glacier in daily time steps allows a nearly instant evaluation of the state of a glacier in a particular year," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We introduce the Glacier Loss Day (GLD) as being the day in the hydrological year on which the mass accumulated during winter is lost, and the glacier loses mass irrecoverably for the rest of the mass balance year."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snapshot-of-the-glacier-s-health">Snapshot of the glacier's health</h2>



<p>The researchers said it became clear early in the summer of 2022 that Glacier Loss Day would be reached very soon. They compared GLD to the Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when we use up more natural resources than the Earth can renew in a year.</p>



<p>According to the experts, monitoring this Glacier Loss Day provides a snapshot of the Hintereisferner's health each year.</p>



<p>"The earlier the GLD is reached, the higher the probability of massive mass loss. The key to interpreting and using the GLD as a near-real-time gross but expressive indicator for a glacier's state of 'illness' is to record its progressing volume and mass loss during an ablation season at a daily resolution," explained the researchers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-negative-balances-nbsp">Extreme negative balances&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In 2022, the GLD for the Hintereisferner was recorded as early as June 23rd. By contrast, the Glacier Loss Day in the preceding two years was not reached until mid-August.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Even during years with extreme negative balances, like 2003 and 2018, this date was not recorded until July's end.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The premature Glacier Loss Day indicates that the Hintereisferner spends a larger portion of the year losing mass rather than staying balanced or gaining.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anthropogenic-climate-change">Anthropogenic climate change</h2>



<p>"These are clear signals of anthropogenic climate change. The consequences of our greenhouse gas emissions are already hitting us hard today," said glaciologist Rainer Prinz.</p>



<p>The repercussions of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are manifesting now, and the trend only seems to escalate. The team's study paints a grim future - projecting that in a span of 10 to 20 years, only half of the Hintereisferner will remain.</p>



<p>"These are clear climate change signals that are due to anthropogenic global warming and the consequences of our greenhouse gas emissions, which are already fully affecting us today," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3661-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Cryosphere</em></a>.</p>



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Hintereisferner glacier: A tale of human-induced climate change

The Hintereisferner, a sentinel glacier nestled at the rear of...

<p>A recent revelation from the <a href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Weather Attribution</a> (WWA) has brought to light startling data concerning the impact of global warming on recent catastrophic rainfall and flooding in the Mediterranean. </p>



<p>According to their findings, the odds of experiencing the deluge that devastated parts of the Mediterranean were amplified up to 50 times in Libya and 10 times in Greece due to climate change.</p>



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



<p>While the study utilized established methodologies, it's vital to mention that it hasn't undergone peer review yet. The tragic events, particularly the Mediterranean flooding, were not solely due to the heavy rainfall. </p>



<p>Regional variables such as deforestation, prolonged conflicts, construction on flood plains, and subpar dam maintenance compounded the disaster's severity.</p>



<p>Dr. Friederike Otto, a renowned climate scientist from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> and one of the report’s architects, highlighted the Mediterranean's vulnerability, labeling it as a "hotspot of climate-change-fuelled hazards." </p>



<p>Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, she added that fortifying resilience against such extreme weather conditions is imperative for preserving lives in the coming years.</p>



<p>However, pinning down the direct influence of climate change on these Mediterranean flooding events proved more challenging than doing so for recent wildfires and heat waves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wrath-of-storm-daniel">The wrath of Storm Daniel</h2>



<p>September bore witness to the fury of Storm Daniel, which pummeled parts of the eastern and central Mediterranean. The storm's aftermath was especially tragic in Libya. </p>



<p>On September 10, two dams burst under the storm's onslaught, leading to the inundation of the eastern city of Derna. Thousands tragically lost their lives as residential structures built on what is usually a dry riverbed gave way due to the weakened foundations from the swelling waters.</p>



<p>The study points out that the magnitude of the rainfall in Libya was unprecedented, possibly up to 50% greater than what might have been anticipated if human activity hadn't altered the climate. Yet, researchers urge a careful approach, acknowledging the uncertainties inherent in these findings.</p>



<p>The political turmoil and the long-standing conflict in Libya further intensified the flooding's destructive consequences. The WWA study pointed out that dams, which had been erected in the 1970s, suffered from neglect. </p>



<p>The lack of modern rainfall data during their construction possibly led to underestimating a storm of this magnitude. The catastrophe's toll was exacerbated as the dams, holding vast quantities of water, broke during the night, leaving residents with minimal time to seek safety.</p>



<p>Maja Vahlberg of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, also a contributor to the report, pressed the urgent need for measures to "reduce exposure to flood risks."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-regions-under-the-scanner">Other regions under the scanner</h2>



<p>The repercussions of global warming weren't limited to Libya. Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey also faced up to 40% more rainfall attributed to climate change. </p>



<p>Such heavy rainfall, once rare, might now be expected approximately every decade in these regions. Central Greece, which bore the brunt, is forecasted to experience such an event every 80-100 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-and-conclusions">Limitations and conclusions</h2>



<p>The WWA report does tread with caution, acknowledging that "they cannot completely rule out the possibility that climate change has not influenced the likelihood and intensity of events like these." </p>



<p>They cite the lack of extensive data from local weather stations and the limitations of climate models in predicting rare extremes over localized regions as constraints in their study. However, they stand firm in their conclusion that global warming played a significant role in the recent Mediterranean disaster.</p>



<p>As the evidence continues to mount, studies like these underscore the pressing need to address climate change and bolster preparations against its increasingly destructive repercussions.</p>



<p>---</p>



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Recent Mediterranean floods directly linked to climate change

A recent revelation from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) has...

Fukushima,Nuclear,Plant,Chimneys,,Japan

<p>On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Japan solidified their commitment towards ensuring the safe discharge of treated water from the <a href="https://www.iaea.org/topics/response/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-accident" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fukushima Daiichi</a> nuclear power plant. In an agreement signed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the <a href="https://www.iaea.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IAEA</a> is to undertake 'decades of independent monitoring' of the water being released into the Pacific Ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-response-to-concerns">Response to concerns</h2>



<p>The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, and Kamikawa Yoko, Japan’s Foreign Minister, comes in the wake of heightened concerns both domestically and internationally. </p>



<p>Roughly a month ago, Japan began the process of releasing treated radioactive water from the plant, sparking significant concern and backlash, especially from its neighboring countries.</p>



<p>The IAEA, however, has not been a passive observer. Since the announcement of Japan's plans in 2021, the UN atomic agency has been keenly assessing the safety of this initiative. Recognizing the importance of ongoing scrutiny, an IAEA office was established at the Fukushima site in July.</p>



<p>During the signing, Grossi emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating that it would ensure transparency and build global confidence in the process. The main goal is to ensure the health and safety of people and the environment, assuring that no harm will come from the water discharge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diplomatic-tensions-rise">Diplomatic tensions rise</h2>



<p>However, the wastewater release has not been without its diplomatic repercussions. China, in a move that sparked a significant trade dispute, banned seafood imports from Japan in August, citing concerns over potential radioactive contamination. This ban has already taken its toll, with recent data revealing a 67.6% drop in China's seafood imports from Japan since last month.</p>



<p>Japan, steadfast in its position, lodged a formal protest, declaring China's import ban as "totally unacceptable" in a letter to the <a href="https://www.wto.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Trade Organization</a> (WTO). Tokyo further urged Beijing to reconsider and lift the measure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-at-home">Concerns at home</h2>



<p>But it's not just international players who have voiced concerns. Japan's fishing communities, a significant stakeholder in this decision, have expressed their reservations. The <a href="https://www.suhyup.co.kr/sites/suhyup-en/index.do" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives</a> in Japan relayed fears over safety and potential damage to their reputation due to the water discharge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-long-term-plan">The long-term plan</h2>



<p>This decision to release treated water is part of Japan's long-term strategy as they work on decommissioning the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. Over the next 30-40 years, Japan plans to release over a million metric tons of treated water into the Pacific Ocean. </p>



<p>After thorough evaluation, the IAEA has deemed Japan's strategy sound, concluding that the water discharge will have a “negligible radiological impact.”</p>



<p>The agreement between the IAEA and Japan is a testament to the serious approach being taken to ensure that the discharge process remains transparent, safe, and under strict monitoring. Only time will tell how this decision impacts diplomatic relations and the broader sentiment in the region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-accident">More about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident</h2>



<p>On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced one of its darkest hours when the Tōhoku earthquake, registering a 9.0 magnitude, rocked its northeastern coast. Mere minutes later, a devastating tsunami, with towering waves, inundated the coastline, directly impacting the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.</p>



<p>Operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's reactors initially shut down automatically due to the earthquake, an indication that the safety protocols were in action. However, the subsequent tsunami destroyed the plant's backup generators. This failure halted the cooling systems of the reactors, leading them to overheat.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-full-meltdown">Full meltdown</h3>



<p>In the intense days that followed, Reactors 1, 2, and 3 underwent full meltdowns. Additionally, Reactor 4, which was not operational at the time, witnessed hydrogen explosions due to issues related to its spent fuel pool. This volatile situation caused TEPCO to release radioactive vapor to alleviate pressure inside the reactors. Further exacerbating the scenario, the containment buildings of Reactors 1, 3, and 4 experienced significant explosions due to hydrogen gas accumulation.</p>



<p>In response to the growing nuclear crisis, the Japanese government swiftly ordered an evacuation for those living within a 20-kilometer radius of the plant. As the situation at the plant escalated, workers bravely faced the hazardous environment, working tirelessly in shifts to minimize their radiation exposure.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-repercussions">Lasting repercussions</h3>



<p>In the aftermath, TEPCO and the Japanese government faced intense scrutiny. Investigations revealed a lack of preparedness and failure to implement necessary safety measures that could have lessened the disaster's impacts. Today, the decommissioning process is underway, a monumental task expected to span decades and cost billions.</p>



<p>While the immediate danger has subsided, the Fukushima Daiichi accident remains a potent reminder of the intricate balance required in harnessing nuclear energy, emphasizing the importance of constant vigilance, preparedness, and respect for nature's unpredictability.</p>



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IAEA, Japan sign agreement over Fukushima nuclear waste water release

On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Japan...

<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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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>



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



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<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>



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

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>



<p>-----</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">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



<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>



<p>-----</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

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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>



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<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

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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

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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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