<p>A mountain the size of a major Rocky Mountain peak is sitting under the Pacific Ocean north of Palau, and we finally have a map of it. The top rests about 800 feet below the surface, yet the whole <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-plastic-graveyard-uncovered-in-the-deep-mediterranean-sea/">structure</a> climbs roughly 2.6 miles from the deep seafloor.</p>



<p>The discovery comes from a NOAA Ocean Exploration cruise that focused on a rarely mapped stretch of ocean. The team put time on task, swept the area with high resolution acoustics, and confirmed the feature’s size and shape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-ocean-mountain-discovered">Hidden ocean mountain discovered</h2>



<p>The first public look at this feature appeared in a field <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition-feature/live-from-the-field-updates-from-garret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">log</a> posted on September 2, 2025, which described the mountain about 250 miles north of Palau and noted its summit depth and scale. That early report also set the stage for future dives and sampling.</p>



<p>This account comes from <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/multimedia/garret-odonnell-with-noaa-ship-okeanos-explorer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garret O’Donnell</a> of NOAA Ocean Exploration, a 2025 <a href="https://seagrant.noaa.gov/communities/students/graduate-fellows/knauss-fellowship-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John A. Knauss</a> fellow aboard NOAA Ship <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Okeanos</a> Explorer. He is part of the mapping team that turned raw sonar pings into a usable chart of the seamount.</p>



<p>“It’s funny to me that were we not actively mapping these features, we would have no idea that a mountain half the height of Mount Everest lies directly beneath us," O'Donnell enthused. </p>



<p>"Maybe one day the map we made of this behemoth will be used to navigate the feature with a remotely operated vehicle to get a closer look."</p>



<p>The numbers are straightforward and worth stating clearly. The peak sits about 800 feet down, and the full height from the abyssal plain to the summit is about 2.6 miles.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/seamount_ocean-mountain_palau_mapping_NOAA_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/seamount_ocean-mountain_palau_mapping_NOAA_1s.webp" alt="A map showing the depth extent of an unnamed seamount that was fully mapped as part of Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping 2 expedition. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond the Blue" class="wp-image-1986402"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A map showing the depth extent of an unnamed seamount that was fully mapped as part of Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping 2 expedition. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond the Blue</em></figcaption></figure>



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



<p>A seamount is an <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/seamounts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater mountain</a>, most often the remains of an extinct volcano that never broke the surface or later sank below the waves. </p>



<p>Less than one tenth of a percent of the world’s seamounts have been explored, a figure that captures how much frontier still exists in the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-turtle-day-2025-ancient-creatures-with-modern-challenges/">ocean</a>.</p>



<p>Scientists estimate there are more than 100,000 large seamounts on Earth when you count those taller than about 3,280 feet. That global count was formalized in a 2010 <a href="https://topex.ucsd.edu/sandwell/publications/127.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> that combined satellite and ship data to build a census.</p>



<p>Why do these mountains matter for life in the ocean? Their shape changes currents, concentrates food, and creates habitats that attract fish, corals, and marine mammals.</p>



<p>This point was underscored by NOAA’s national marine sanctuaries team in a 2025 <a href="https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/2025/reasons-seamounts-matter.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explainer</a> on why seamounts matter.</p>



<p>The new map north of Palau gives researchers a fixed target for future biological work. It also gives navigators and managers a better picture of the seafloor in a region where charts can still be sparse.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-new-ocean-mountain">Mapping the new ocean mountain</h2>



<p>The workhorse tool was <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/sonar-multibeam/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multibeam sonar</a>, an array that sends out many sound beams and times their echoes to build a detailed picture of the seafloor. </p>



<p>Each pass traces a swath under the ship, and careful overlapping tracks stitch those swaths into a complete map.</p>



<p>Teams call the survey <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprecedented-collapse-panamas-ocean-upwelling-fails-for-the-first-time-in-40-years/">pattern</a> “mowing the lawn,” because it is an even, methodical sweep that favors coverage and consistency. </p>



<p>That approach is slow, but it is the way to find steep slopes, ledges, and summit shapes that single passes can miss.</p>



<p>Precision matters, so crews run regular checks to keep the data within tight error limits. When the seas cooperate, this produces clean coverage that captures the real outline of a feature rather than a guess based on sparse lines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-palau-sanctuary-setting">Palau sanctuary setting</h2>



<p>The mountain rises inside waters tied to the <a href="https://marine-conservation.org/blue-sparks/projects/palau-nms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palau National Marine Sanctuary</a>, a <a href="https://picrc.org/work/palau-national-marine-sanctuary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">policy</a> that closed about 80 percent of the nation’s exclusive economic zone to extractive activity on January 1, 2020. </p>



<p>This makes the area a natural lab for documenting geology and life with less pressure from fishing.</p>



<p>Palau’s sanctuary sits near deep water that drops quickly from the island shelf. That geography lets research ships reach study sites in hours rather than days, which helps when a weather window appears.</p>



<p>Protected status also changes the kinds of questions teams can ask. With a baseline in place, future work can track how untouched seamount habitats function over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explaining-the-size">Explaining the size</h2>



<p>The summit at roughly 800 feet makes this feature accessible to surface ship sensors and, with the right systems, to human tended or autonomous vehicles. </p>



<p>The full height of about 2.6 miles shows it is not a small bump, but a major structure that would not look out of place among prominent continental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-dolphin-day-2025-honoring-the-oceans-most-playful-minds/">peaks</a>.</p>



<p>For context, that height is in the same league as well known mountains on land. The comparison helps illustrate how much topography is hiding in plain sight beneath open water.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/seamount_ocean-mountain_palau_rov-tracks_NOAA_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/seamount_ocean-mountain_palau_rov-tracks_NOAA_1s.webp" alt="The location of the unnamed seamount mapped during the Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping 2 expedition relative to the ship’s trackline shows the lawn mowing survey pattern and position north of Palau. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond the Blue" class="wp-image-1986404"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The location of the unnamed seamount mapped during the Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping 2 expedition relative to the ship’s trackline shows the lawn mowing survey pattern and position north of Palau. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond the Blue</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-mountain-maps-matter">Ocean mountain maps matter</h2>



<p>A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can now be guided to interesting ledges and slopes rather than wandering. </p>



<p>Targeted transects can record sponge and coral communities, fish schools, and any signs of mineral crusts that often coat old volcanic rock.</p>



<p>Water sampling can pair with environmental DNA (<a href="http://edna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eDNA</a>) analysis to list species without seeing them directly. Those data can set a baseline for the site, which is essential for tracking change.</p>



<p>Good <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bathymetry.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bathymetry</a> improves navigation by reducing the chance of surprise shallows or pinnacles near shipping routes. </p>



<p>It also makes tsunami and circulation models more accurate, since seafloor shape affects how waves and currents move energy.</p>



<p>For research planning, a complete map is the difference between blind searching and directed work. It saves days of ship time and compresses campaigns into focused operations.</p>



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



<p>The expedition that produced this map connects to a larger push to chart and understand Palau’s deeper waters. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.noaa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a> has outlined a multi-cruise <a href="https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/3-research-cruises-depart-to-improve-understanding-of-atlantic-and-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plan</a> in the region, working with local partners to collect high resolution mapping data across the sanctuary.</p>



<p>Each new map reduces uncertainty and opens the door to more detailed work. It is a steady build toward a fuller view of the Pacific floor near Palau.</p>



<p>The global picture still frames the task. A widely cited census estimated more than 100,000 large seamounts worldwide, which shows how much there is left to find and study.</p>



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



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

Massive underwater mountain discovered that is larger than some peaks in the Rockies

A mountain the size of a major Rocky Mountain peak is sitting under the Pacific Ocean north of Palau, and we finally have a map of it. The top rests about 800 feet below the surface, yet the whole structure climbs roughly 2.6 miles from the deep seafloor. The discovery comes from a NOAA Ocean Exploration cruise that focused on a rarely mapped stretch of ocean. The team put time on task, swept the area with high resolution acoustics, and confirmed the feature’s size and shape. Hidden...

Macro,Shot,On,A,Bunch,Of,Microplastics,That,Cannot,Be

<p>Vacationers turned citizen scientists have assisted a team of researchers in uncovering the threat of microplastics on the pristine beaches of the Arctic.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the world grapples with the increasing scale of plastic production, tiny fragments of these synthetic materials, known as microplastics, have become ubiquitous, sparking fears of accumulation and consequent ecosystem damage in the Arctic due to ocean currents.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Still yet, our understanding of the extent and nature of this potential Arctic plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-making-the-ocean-more-acidic/">pollution</a> remains sketchy.</p>



<p>Dr. Bruno Walther of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research is the lead author of the new study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1210019"><em>Frontiers in Environmental Science</em></a>.</p>



<p>“Plastic pollution is now ubiquitous. It is found on land and in soil and most rivers of the world,” stated Dr. Walther. His stark observation highlights the reality that even the remotest of regions, including the polar oceans and the deepest ocean trenches, are not spared from the insidious infiltration of plastic.</p>



<h2 id="h-growing-threat-of-microplastics">Growing threat of microplastics </h2>



<p>The focus of the research, the Svalbard archipelago, is Europe's farthest northern landmass. This picturesque yet remote area faces the growing threat of microplastics carried over by ocean currents.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To explore this issue, four tourist cruises visiting Svalbard in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2022 engaged in collecting sediment samples. Alongside, all cruises, with the exception of the 2022 trip, surveyed macroplastic debris for a different study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Initially, participants gathered single samples from beaches utilizing basic metal tools and dispatched them to the scientists along with corresponding metadata and photographs documenting the sampling locations. Later, this process was extended to cover entire beaches using sampling grids.</p>



<p>“Citizen science is possible even in remote Arctic beaches,” said Dr. Walther. In his view, harnessing the power of tourists not only helps scientists reduce travel time, cut down on CO2 emissions, and save costs, but also engages ordinary individuals in tackling a pressing global environmental issue.</p>



<h2 id="h-finding-microplastics-in-the-arctic">Finding microplastics in the Arctic</h2>



<p>Following collection, the samples were desiccated, weighed, and measured. They were then filtered to capture particles of 1mm or larger – a demarcation based on the premise that larger particles are less likely to become airborne.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To test this assumption, scientists kept a bowl of purified water by their workstation, filtering it for microplastics once their analysis was concluded. The results were reassuring; no microplastics had drifted from the laboratory air into the water.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To further safeguard against plastic contamination, the team employed an air purifier, wore cotton lab coats, refrained from synthetic clothing, and shielded samples with aluminum lids. Identified plastic particles underwent microscopic examination and spectroscopic analysis.</p>



<h2 id="h-alarming-results">Alarming results</h2>



<p>The findings were alarming. Microplastics of the size targeted were not diffused but highly concentrated, resulting in an overall level of plastic pollution comparable to regions previously deemed much more polluted than Arctic beaches.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Two specific sources of plastic pollution were pinpointed: polypropylene fibers possibly from a fishing net, and polyester-epoxide particles likely derived from a ship’s color coating or equipment.</p>



<p>“Plastic debris from fisheries is the most direct point of entry to the marine realm, and is often particularly important in remote areas,” noted study co-author Dr. Melanie Bergmann of the Alfred Wegener Institute.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The waters around Svalbard host an active fishing fleet, but there are also fleets in the North Sea and the North Atlantic. Some of the waste that they emit eventually finds its way to the beaches of Svalbard.</p>



<h2 id="h-expedited-fragmentation-of-particles">Expedited fragmentation of particles</h2>



<p>The fishing net fragments appeared to have disintegrated rapidly due to the unique beach conditions: repeated freezing cycles, high humidity from fog, and nearly non-stop sunlight during the summer months.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If this expedited fragmentation is a common phenomenon, it could result in the quick introduction of tiny, elusive microplastics into the environment.</p>



<p>While these findings are significant, Dr. Walther stressed that more comprehensive and consistent sampling in the Arctic is necessary to fully understand the situation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It should be noted that we only analyzed microplastics particles larger than 1mm," noted Bergmann. "This was because of the citizen science approach and to avoid potential airborne contamination by small particles."</p>



<p>"But our previous studies on Arctic water, ice, and sediment samples have shown that more than 80% of the particles were much smaller. So, we probably would have found more particles, if we had looked for smaller particles, too.”</p>



<p>Indeed, the Arctic, with its remote and fragile ecosystems, may already be bearing the brunt of a problem born from human activities. This research highlights the urgent need for immediate action. It also underscores the potential value of citizen science in global conservation efforts.</p>



<h2>More about microplastics</h2>



<p>Microplastics refer to minute plastic particles, typically less than five millimeters in diameter. They represent a major category of plastic pollution. In today's world, microplastics are present ubiquitously in a variety of environments ranging from terrestrial to marine ecosystems.</p>



<h3>Origins</h3>



<p>Microplastics primarily originate from two sources. Primary microplastics are purposely manufactured at a small scale for uses in personal care products, industrial abrasives, and medical applications. These include microbeads in exfoliating body washes and facial scrubs, and pellets used for plastic manufacturing.</p>



<p>Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, result from the degradation of larger plastic objects. These include plastic bags and bottles, due to environmental processes like photodegradation and mechanical erosion.</p>



<h3>Environmental impact</h3>



<p>Microplastics infiltrate natural habitats and ecosystems around the world, including the most remote regions of the Arctic, causing adverse effects. Their small size and high surface-area-to-volume ratio make them capable of absorbing persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These include PCBs and DDT.</p>



<p>Upon entering the food chain, these contaminants can magnify, causing potential harm to wildlife and humans.</p>



<p>In the marine environment, microplastics are often mistaken for food by marine organisms, from zooplankton to whales. Ingestion can lead to physical harm, nutrient displacement, reduced energy, and potentially death.</p>



<p>Microplastics also act as vectors for invasive species and pathogens. They accomplish this by facilitating their spread across different ecosystems.</p>



<h3>Human health concerns</h3>



<p>Microplastics present potential human health risks, both directly and indirectly. They can enter the human body in several ways. First, through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Next, by inhalation of airborne microplastics. Finally, through direct contact with the skin.</p>



<p>Once in the body, microplastics might cause physical harm, generate an immune response, or release absorbed pollutants. Research is ongoing to further understand these potential impacts.</p>



<h3>Mitigation and prevention</h3>



<p>Mitigation of microplastics pollution involves several approaches. Wastewater treatment plants play a role in filtering out microplastics. However, not all particles are captured.</p>



<p>This necessitates the development of more effective filtration methods. Plastic waste management, including recycling and proper disposal, also helps to reduce the production of secondary microplastics.</p>



<p>Prevention strategies aim at reducing the use and production of plastic products. This includes bans on microbeads in personal care products, use of alternative materials, and promoting a circular economy approach to plastic use.</p>



<h3>Research and monitoring</h3>



<p>Scientific research and monitoring are essential to understand the extent and effects of microplastics pollution. Standardized methods for sampling, processing, and analyzing microplastics are needed to compare data globally.</p>



<p>Research areas include exploring new detection and quantification methods, identifying major sources and pathways, and studying the impacts on wildlife and human health.</p>



<p>In summary, microplastics represent a pervasive and complex form of pollution. Despite the challenges, concerted efforts in research, innovation, policy-making, and public awareness are key to tackling this global issue.</p>



<p>—--</p>



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Microplastics discovered in the most remote Arctic regions

Vacationers turned citizen scientists have assisted a team of researchers...

<p>In an astonishing revelation, researchers from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> and Japan's <a href="https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en">Osaka University</a> have uncovered data suggesting the rogue planets - those solitary wanderers unhinged from any star – significantly outnumber the approximately hundred billion planets which orbit stars.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings indicate that NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, slated for launch by May 2027, could discover as many as 400 rogue planets similar in mass to Earth. The data has already singled out a likely candidate for this category.</p>



<p>David Bennett is a senior research scientist at NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">Goddard Space Flight Center</a> and co-author of two papers detailing these findings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We estimate that our galaxy is home to 20 times more rogue planets than stars – trillions of worlds wandering alone. This is the first measurement of the number of rogue planets in the galaxy that is sensitive to planets less massive than Earth," said Bennett.</p>



<h2 id="h-microlensing-events">Microlensing events&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The groundbreaking findings originated from a nine-year MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) survey conducted at New Zealand's <a href="https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/facilities/field-and-research-stations/mount-john-observatory/">Mount John University Observatory</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Microlensing events provide valuable information about the objects in our cosmos. These phenomena occur when a star or planet aligns almost perfectly with an unrelated background star from our viewpoint.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The mass of the nearer object warps space-time, causing light from the distant star to bend around the closer object. The intervening object acts like a lens, briefly intensifying the brightness of the background star's light. This method gleans crucial insights that other methods can't provide.</p>



<p>Takahiro Sumi is a professor at Osaka University and lead author of the paper estimating our galaxy’s rogue planets. He elaborated on the significance of microlensing. </p>



<p>“Microlensing is the only way we can find objects like low-mass free-floating planets and even primordial black holes. It’s very exciting to use gravity to discover objects we could never hope to see directly."</p>



<p>The MOA survey has enabled the second-ever discovery of an Earth-mass rogue planet. The team's finding, along with a demographic analysis suggesting rogue planets outnumber star-orbiting planets by sixfold, will soon be published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1538-3881"><em>The Astronomical Journal</em></a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-rogue-planets-tend-to-be-smaller">Rogue planets tend to be smaller</h2>



<p>In the past few decades, our understanding of the cosmos has dramatically evolved. From pondering our solar system's solitude, we've discovered over 5,300 planets beyond it. Contrary to the trend, which reveals most of these newfound worlds are either massive or in close proximity to their host star, the team’s study suggests rogue planets lean towards a smaller size.</p>



<p>Professor Sumi explained the prevalence of pint-sized planets: “We found that Earth-size rogues are more common than more massive ones. The difference in star-bound and free-floating planets’ average masses holds a key to understanding planetary formation mechanisms.”</p>



<p>Planetary formation is a chaotic process. Young celestial bodies, bound by gravity, jostle for space in their orbits. The less massive planets, not as strongly tethered to their stars, often find themselves catapulted into space. From there, they begin a solitary, shadowy existence.</p>



<p>Despite their mysterious nature, not all rogue planets are inhospitable. Sci-fi enthusiasts might recall an episode of the original Star Trek series where the crew stumbles upon Gothos. It was a lone habitable planet in a star desert. However, despite sharing mass characteristics, it's essential to note that our newly discovered "rogue Earth" is likely starkly different from Earth.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-roman-space-telescope">The Roman Space Telescope&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Discovering more rogue planets depends on expanding our field of observation - a task perfectly suited to the Roman Space Telescope.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Naoki Koshimoto is now an assistant professor at Osaka University and lead author of the paper. He announced the candidate terrestrial-mass rogue world by saying, “Roman will be sensitive to even lower-mass rogue planets since it will observe from space. The combination of Roman’s wide view and sharp vision will allow us to study the objects it finds in more detail than we can do using only ground-based telescopes, which is a thrilling prospect.”</p>



<p>Previously, estimates suggested Roman would uncover around 50 terrestrial-mass rogue worlds. The new research revises this expectation to approximately 400. However, more accurate predictions will have to wait until Roman begins its stellar sweep.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Roman's data will be supplemented by ground-based observations from facilities like Japan's PRIME (Prime-focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment) telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory.</p>



<p>Each microlensing event is a one-off, and cannot be revisited. However, they do last from a few hours to a day, allowing time for coordinated observations with Roman and PRIME.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Seeing them from both Earth and Roman’s location a million miles away will help scientists measure the masses of rogue planets much more accurately than ever before, deepening our understanding of the worlds that grace our galaxy," said Koshimoto.</p>



<h2>More about rogue planets</h2>



<p>Rogue planets, also known as interstellar planets, nomad planets, or orphan planets, are celestial bodies that have the characteristics of planets but do not orbit a star. Instead, they traverse the vast expanse of interstellar space independently. Although scientists first proposed the concept in the 20th century, only in recent years has the technology become available to detect and study these elusive objects.</p>



<h3>Rogue planet formation</h3>



<p>The primary mechanism for the formation of rogue planets relates to the volatile dynamics within young star systems. These systems often exhibit chaotic gravitational interactions between developing planets.</p>



<p>The unstable conditions can eject a planet from the system, sending it into interstellar space. In some cases, rogue planets may form directly from the collapse of interstellar gas clouds, similar to how stars form but on a smaller scale.</p>



<h3>Detection and observation</h3>



<p>Detecting rogue planets presents a significant challenge due to their inherent darkness. They emit no light of their own, and they do not transit a host star to create observable patterns. Nevertheless, astronomers have developed two primary methods for identifying these celestial wanderers: gravitational microlensing and direct imaging.</p>



<p>Gravitational microlensing occurs when the gravity of a massive object, such as a rogue planet, bends and magnifies the light of a distant star. This creates a noticeable brightening effect, alerting astronomers to the presence of an intervening object.</p>



<p>Direct imaging, on the other hand, relies on sophisticated telescopes to observe the weak infrared radiation that rogue planets emit as they cool. The introduction of the James Webb Space Telescope in 2021 greatly enhanced our capacity for direct imaging.</p>



<h3>Characteristics</h3>



<p>Rogue planets vary widely in their characteristics. Many are similar to conventional planets, with masses ranging from Earth-like to Jupiter-like sizes. However, some border on the line between large gas giant planets and brown dwarfs, objects which are too massive to be considered planets but not massive enough to initiate nuclear fusion in their cores like stars.</p>



<p>Despite their solitary existence, rogue planets may possess atmospheres and even maintain internal heat from their formation. There is ongoing debate about the potential for these bodies to support life, but it remains largely speculative due to the lack of energy input from a star.</p>



<h3>Significance</h3>



<p>Rogue planets contribute to our understanding of planetary formation and the dynamic processes within young star systems. They challenge traditional definitions of planets and blur the lines between different categories of celestial objects.</p>



<p>Furthermore, they hold implications for astrobiology. If rogue planets can host conditions suitable for life, it expands the range of environments in which we might find extraterrestrial organisms. This broadens the scope of our search for life beyond our solar system.</p>



<p>In summary, rogue planets are fascinating objects that traverse the interstellar void independent of a host star. Their detection and study push the limits of our astronomical technology and knowledge, offering unique insights into planetary formation, dynamics, and the potential for life in unexpected places. As technology continues to evolve, our understanding of these mysterious objects will undoubtedly expand.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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

Trillions of rogue planets, 20x more than stars, are wandering alone in our galaxy

In an astonishing revelation, researchers from NASA and Japan's Osaka...

Climate,Change,Heat,Dryness,Withered,Earth

<p>In a recent briefing, NASA's leading climate authority Gavin Schmidt, the director of the <a href="https://www.giss.nasa.gov/">Goddard Institute for Space Studies</a>, warned that this July could potentially mark Earth’s hottest month for the first time in centuries, if not millennia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The assertion comes as an unrelenting heatwave scorches large portions of the US, particularly the south, a meteorological phenomenon highlighting the escalating severity of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-crisis-leaves-one-third-of-pakistan-underwater/">climate crisis</a>.</p>



<p>Schmidt presented his forecast during a meeting at NASA’s Washington headquarters, which gathered agency climate experts including NASA administrator Bill Nelson and chief scientist and senior climate adviser Kate Calvin.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-harsh-reality-of-climate-change">Harsh reality of climate change</h2>



<p>The assembly was set against the backdrop of a summer that has underscored the pressing reality of climate change: devastating floods in New England, choking smoke from Canadian wildfires afflicting US cities, and tens of millions of Americans under heat advisories due to record-breaking temperatures in the south and west of the country.</p>



<p>"We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world," Schmidt noted. The director elaborated that while these dramatic shifts may seem startling, they were expected by the scientific community, citing "a decade-on-decade increase in temperatures throughout the last four decades."</p>



<h2 id="h-earth-s-hottest-june">Earth's hottest June</h2>



<p>Schmidt's announcement comes on the heels of NASA's recent disclosure that last month was Earth's hottest June on record according to their global temperature analysis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The current trend, Schmidt suggests, is "certainly increasing the chances" of 2023 becoming the hottest year on record. His estimations indicate a 50% likelihood of this happening, while some models propose a staggering 80% probability.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the prognosis for 2024 is even more alarming, predicted to surpass 2023's projected record-breaking temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-el-nino">El Niño</h2>



<p>Scientists anticipate an El Niño weather pattern, infamous for amplifying global temperatures, to peak towards the end of this year. Schmidt recalls how the most recent significant El Niño event, which transpired between 2014 to 2016, culminated in each of those years successively setting new global temperature records, with 2016 holding the current title for Earth's hottest year ever recorded.</p>



<p>The assembly of experts attending the meeting echoed Schmidt's concerns, collectively raising an alarm over Earth's rapid transformation. These climatic alterations were linked unequivocally to greenhouse gas emissions. However, they hesitated to explicitly attribute these emissions predominantly to fossil fuel consumption.</p>



<h2 id="h-wide-ranging-impacts">Wide-ranging impacts</h2>



<p>Scientific consensus affirms that "human activity and principally greenhouse gas emissions are unavoidably causing the warming that we're seeing on our planet," according to Calvin. She stressed the wide-ranging impacts of global warming on both human societies and ecosystems around the world.</p>



<p>However, the discussion wasn't solely focused on the grim realities of climate change. NASA's leaders spotlighted the agency's extensive climate-centered initiatives designed to assist governments in combating and preparing for the repercussions of the climate crisis. As Nelson pointed out, "NASA is also a climate agency."</p>



<h2 id="h-tracking-environmental-changes">Tracking environmental changes</h2>



<p>Among its initiatives, NASA's newest venture, the Earth Information Center, aims to democratize climate data from the agency's 25 satellites, making it accessible in real time. An exhibition featuring the initiative recently opened at the agency's headquarters, with an online counterpart set to debut on NASA's website next week.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The agency also outlined a range of other projects that track environmental changes, from air pollution and methane emissions to tropical cyclones and hurricanes. Additionally, NASA is striving to mitigate planet-warming pollution through research into lower-carbon forms of air travel.</p>



<p>Despite some opposition from rightwing lawmakers seeking to slash funding for climate-related projects, including some of NASA's, the agency remains committed to advancing its mission.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Karen St. Germain, NASA's Earth Science division director, emphasized that the agency's aspiration is not only to accelerate scientific discovery but also to ensure new research bolsters climate preparedness. This ranges "from a farmer assessing what to do with a single field, to global leaders weighing decisions impacting the entire world."</p>



<p>In summary, as Schmidt's warnings illustrate, the stakes have never been higher. "Our goal is to put scientific information and understanding out in ways that help the public," concluded St. Germain, underscoring the urgency of addressing the climate crisis head-on.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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July may be Earth's hottest month in centuries, or even millennia as climate crisis gets worse

In a recent briefing, NASA's leading climate authority Gavin Schmidt,...

<p>In a groundbreaking study conducted by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a>, researchers found that high-meat diets generate four times the greenhouse gases compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegan-diet-for-dogs-given-the-thumbs-up-by-scientists/">vegan</a> diets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research, leveraging the eating habits of 55,000 individuals, further demonstrates that diets free from meat substantially decrease environmental impact, affecting land use, water use, water pollution risk, and biodiversity loss.</p>



<p>“Cutting down the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can make a big difference to your dietary footprint," said study lead author Professor Peter Scarborough.</p>



<p>This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that a radical change in our dietary habits could be key for mitigating the accelerating effects of climate change.</p>



<h2 id="h-impacts-of-food-production">Impacts of food production&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Agriculture is a chief contributor to deforestation and biodiversity loss, and has commanded three-quarters of ice-free land for human use, according to UN data.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, our food system is responsible for a staggering 70% of the world's freshwater use and 78% of freshwater pollution. As if that wasn't enough, it also ranks second in producing greenhouse gases, just behind energy production.</p>



<p>A previous study from 2015 found that the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from food production constituted approximately one-third of total emissions for that year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although it has been established in earlier research that plant-based diets yield fewer greenhouse gases and demand less water, these studies may not have fully considered the ways and places where food is produced.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This latest study, recently published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natfood/"><em>Nature Food</em></a>, involved a survey completed by 55,000 UK participants. Respondents were categorized as vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, and either high or low meat eaters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Oxford research team proceeded to integrate these data with databases that quantify the environmental impact of different food types for a comprehensive analysis.</p>



<p>According to Professor Scarborough, focusing on the data for high-impact, plant-based food or low-impact meat can distract from the salient correlation between animal-based foods and environmental degradation. He emphasized the importance of their comprehensive approach.</p>



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



<p>“Our results, which use data from over 38,000 farms in over 100 countries, show that high-meat diets have the biggest impact for many important environmental indicators, including climate change and biodiversity loss," said Professor Scarborough.</p>



<p>The environmental impact of vegans was found to be a mere quarter of that of high-meat diets, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and land use.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For water pollution, this figure was 27%, 46% for water use, and 34% for biodiversity loss. Even those following a low-meat diet showed considerable improvements, exhibiting at least a 30% reduction across these environmental impact categories.</p>



<h2 id="h-new-strategies-are-needed">New strategies are needed</h2>



<p>The research team suggests these findings should inform policy making, encouraging strategies to curtail meat production and consumption. However, this proposition has already sparked debate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a recent Commons committee hearing on food security, Farming Minister Mark Spencer stated a preference for enhancing meat production efficiency over dictating dietary choices. He highlighted a yearly 1% efficiency improvement in agriculture and a vision for genetically-modified cows emitting less methane.</p>



<p>Green MP Caroline Lucas challenged Spencer's view, criticizing the government’s reticence in promoting vegetarianism as “perverse.” She pointed to what she perceives as governmental “double standards” for levying taxes on sugar, tobacco, and alcohol, yet exempting meat.</p>



<p>“Achieving the net zero target is a priority for this Government, and whilst food choices can have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions, well-managed livestock also provide environmental benefits such as supporting biodiversity, protecting the character of the countryside and generating important income for rural communities," said Lucas.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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High-meat diets have four times the environmental impact of vegan diets

In a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Oxford,...

<p>As farms across the globe continue to shift toward organic agricultural practices, new research suggests that this transition may have unexpected effects on bat populations. The study has uncovered evidence that during the transition period to organic farming, bat activity is substantially reduced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This surprising discovery highlights the intricate interconnectedness of ecosystems and raises questions about how best to manage farming transitions to benefit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/">biodiversity</a>.</p>



<p>While it has long been recognized that organic farming fosters greater biodiversity than conventional farming, less is known about the impact of the transition period on local wildlife.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Traditional farming heavily relies on substances such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers which can be detrimental to many species. As farms convert to organic practices, these substances are removed, leaving a gap that some elements of biodiversity may struggle to bridge.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>To gain insights into this, the researchers turned their focus to bats – specifically, insect-eating bats living in the citrus orchards of Cyprus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Across 22 matched pairs of citrus orchards, the team monitored the activity of four bat species: Kuhl's pipistrelle (P. kuhlii), Savi's pipistrelle (H. savii), common bent-wing (M. schreibersii), and common pipistrelle (P. pipistrellus).&nbsp;</p>



<p>These observations allowed them to compare bat activity at certified organic farms with conventional farms, and those in transition to organic practices</p>



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



<p>The study revealed that the activity of three of the four bat species was notably lower at farms in the transition period compared to those maintaining conventional practices.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, once the transition to organic farming was complete, bat activity increased, indicating a "time-lag" before the organic biodiversity boost for the most abundant bat species.</p>



<p>The researchers, initially anticipating positive effects from the onset of organic farming transition, were taken aback by these results.</p>



<p>"We can't be certain why bats are negatively affected, but previous research suggests soil can suffer – with knock-on effects for other wildlife – when fertilisers, pesticides and other aspects of conventional farming stop," said study co-author Penelope Fialas, from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-potential-negative-effects">Potential negative effects</h2>



<p>Fialas suggested that the soil and wider ecosystem might need time to recover from the abrupt cessation of conventional farming inputs.</p>



<p>With these findings at hand, Fialas underlined the importance of carefully managing the transition to organic farming. Avoiding simultaneous transitions at neighboring farms could help wildlife find alternative habitats while each farm switches its methods, thereby reducing potential negative effects on biodiversity.</p>



<p>"We've long known that organic farms often harbour higher biodiversity than otherwise similar conventional farms," said Gareth Jones from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a>.</p>



<p>"The transition to organic farming has been little studied, however, and determining if the detrimental effects during transition observed here hold for other animals and plants would be an interesting future research project."</p>



<p>Notably, the study also found that the presence of “semi-natural” areas surrounding the farms did not influence these differences in bat activity. This may challenge some existing beliefs about the mitigating effects of these areas on changes in biodiversity during farming transitions.</p>



<p>The research was partially funded by the University of Göttingen and has been published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14468"><em>Journal of Applied Ecology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-organic-farming">More about organic farming&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Organic farming can be defined as:</p>



<p>An integrated farming system that strives for sustainability, the enhancement of soil fertility and biological diversity while, with rare exceptions, prohibiting synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and growth hormones.</p>



<p>Organic farming promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops and encourages balanced host/predator relationships. It offers benefits like biodiversity, soil health improvement, lower levels of pollutants in groundwater, better taste, and possibly, nutritional benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, it also poses its own suite of environmental challenges. For example, due to the current low yields of organic farming, wide-scale adoption could require additional land to be converted for farming use.</p>



<p>Here are a few key principles and practices typically associated with organic farming:</p>



<h3 id="h-soil-management">Soil management</h3>



<p>Organic farming emphasizes the use of compost, green manure, and organic fertilizer to nourish the soil that crops are grown in. The health of the soil is a critical component in organic farming, and practices like crop rotation and intercropping are used to prevent the depletion of soil nutrients.</p>



<h3 id="h-weed-management">Weed management</h3>



<p>Organic farming doesn't use synthetic weedkillers. Instead, organic farmers might plant fast-growing species to outcompete weeds, or use physical methods such as hand weeding or flame weeding.</p>



<h3 id="h-pest-management">Pest management</h3>



<p>Organic farming typically relies on the principle of biodiversity and the creation of a balanced ecosystem to control pests. This could include the use of insects that prey on crop pests, or using disease-resistant crop varieties. Some organic farmers might also use certain natural pesticides.</p>



<h3 id="h-livestock">Livestock</h3>



<p>Organic standards for livestock involve a range of factors, including providing outdoor access for animals, using organic feed, and limiting the use of antibiotics.</p>



<h3 id="h-genetically-modified-organisms">Genetically modified organisms</h3>



<p>Organic standards generally prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This includes both the crops grown and the feed given to livestock.</p>



<h3 id="h-sustainability">Sustainability</h3>



<p>A key principle of organic farming is the idea of sustainability. This involves farming practices that help maintain ecological balance, preventing soil depletion or the loss of biodiversity, and reducing the use of non-renewable resources.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Hidden costs of organic farming: Wildlife may struggle through the transition 

As farms across the globe continue to shift toward organic...

<p>Greenland, a white expanse of ice spanning an area three times the size of Texas, was not always so barren and frigid. According to a recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.ade4248"><em>Science</em></a>, a large portion of Greenland was an ice-free tundra landscape - perhaps covered by trees and populated by woolly mammoths - as recently as 416,000 years ago.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This revelation challenges the previous assumption that much of the Greenland ice sheet remained frozen for most of the last two and a half million years.</p>



<p>The discovery, made by an international team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/">University of Vermont</a> (UVM), Utah State University, and fourteen other institutions, highlights the sensitivity of the Greenland ice sheet to moderate warming periods.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-harsh-reality">Harsh reality</h2>



<p>The scientists found that, between 424,000 and 374,000 years ago, Greenland's ice sheet melted substantially, leading to at least five feet of global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-disproportionally-affect-asian-megacities/">sea level rise</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Intriguingly, the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, a significant driver of climate change, were lower then than they are today - 280 parts per million (ppm) versus today's 420 ppm.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding indicates that the ice sheet on Greenland may be more sensitive to human-induced climate change than previously understood, rendering it susceptible to irreversible, rapid melting in the upcoming centuries.</p>



<h2 id="h-long-lost-ice-core">Long-lost ice core</h2>



<p>The evidence for these startling revelations was unearthed from an unlikely source, a long-lost ice core collected by a secret U.S. Army mission during the Cold War.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Under the guise of the Arctic science station, Camp Century, the Army drilled through 4,560 feet of ice, extracting a twelve-foot-long tube of soil and rock from beneath the icy surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This icy sediment, initially lost in a freezer for decades, was accidentally rediscovered in 2017. Surprisingly, it held not just sediment but also leaves and moss, testaments to an ice-free landscape that might have been a boreal forest.</p>



<h2 id="h-new-understanding-of-greenland-s-history">New understanding of Greenland's history</h2>



<p>Using advanced luminescence technology and rare isotope analysis on the sediment from the ice core, the researchers have painted a dramatically different picture of Greenland's history.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Until recently, scientists believed Greenland to be a fortress of ice, relatively untouched by melting for millions of years. However, these new techniques allowed the team to create a detailed timeline of Greenland's thawing, revealing that large portions of the ice sheet melted much more recently than one million years ago.</p>



<p>"It's really the first bulletproof evidence that much of the Greenland ice sheet vanished when it got warm," says University of Vermont scientist Paul Bierman, who co-led the new study. The implications of this research are significant, particularly considering the present-day effects of climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-twenty-three-feet-of-potential-sea-level-rise">Twenty-three feet of potential sea-level rise</h2>



<p>Approximately twenty-three feet of potential sea-level rise is stored in Greenland's ice, placing every coastal region in the world at risk.</p>



<p>The study revealed that the sediment from the Camp Century ice core was exposed to sunlight - indicating an ice-free landscap - before being buried under the ice once more. This discovery was made using a "luminescence signal" within the sediment, which zeros out when exposed to sunlight.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over time, in the darkness, minerals within the sediment accumulate electrons, forming a kind of geological clock. By examining the amount of these accumulated electrons, the scientists could determine when these sediments were last exposed to the sun. The team at Utah State University conducted these examinations in a specialized dark room, using advanced tools and repeated tests.</p>



<h2 id="h-additional-insights">Additional insights&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In the University of Vermont lab, scientists studied quartz from the Camp Century core. Ratios of beryllium and other isotopes gave the scientists a window onto how long rocks at the surface were exposed versus buried under layers of ice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This data helped the scientists show that the Camp Century sediment was exposed to the sky less than 14,000 years before it was deposited under the ice, narrowing down the time window when that portion of Greenland must have been ice-free.</p>



<p>Understanding Greenland's past is not just about rewriting history books. It provides crucial insight into how its giant ice sheet will respond to future warming and how quickly it could melt. This discovery offers robust and precise evidence that Greenland is more sensitive to climate change than previously thought.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Greenland’s past, preserved in twelve feet of frozen soil, suggests a warm, wet, and largely ice-free future for planet Earth, unless we can dramatically lower the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," says Bierman.</p>



<p>The Camp Century core and its rich data have transformed scientists' understanding of Greenland's icy history. "We had always assumed that the Greenland ice sheet formed about two and a half million years ago - and has just been there this whole time and that it’s very stable," says study co-author Tammy Rittenour. "But this paper shows that it did."</p>



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While 416,000 years ago, there were no cities hugging coastlines, today, millions of people live in low-lying coastal areas. This makes the potential for a significant sea level rise due to the melting of Greenland's ice sheet a major concern.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"If we melt just portions of the Greenland ice sheet, the sea level rises dramatically. Most global population centers are near sea level," explains Rittenour.</p>



<p>The Camp Century study sends a clear warning to the world. It shows that the Greenland ice sheet has a history of melting during periods of moderate warming.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With today's rapidly increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the chances of significant and irreversible melting are alarmingly high. The outcome of such an event would be catastrophic, given that Greenland's ice holds enough water to raise global sea levels by over twenty feet - a disaster for many coastal cities and nations.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Evidence of a greener Greenland reveals shocking reality of sea level rise

Greenland, a white expanse of ice spanning an area three...

<p>A groundbreaking study from the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/home/">University of Nebraska-Lincoln</a> has revealed that microwaving plastic baby food containers can result in the release of billions of tiny plastic particles, raising serious concerns about the health implications for infants and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-are-willing-to-try-vegetables-when-theyre-rewarded/">toddlers</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research team found that when microwaved, each square centimeter of these containers can discharge in some cases over 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics.</p>



<h2 id="h-alarming-discovery">Alarming discovery&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While the potential health risks of ingesting these tiny plastic particles are yet to be fully understood, the study made a startling revelation: up to 75 percent of cultured embryonic kidney cells perished after just two days of exposure to these particles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding underpins the 2022 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), which advises limiting exposure to micro- and nanoplastics.</p>



<h2 id="h-need-for-public-awareness">Need for public awareness</h2>



<p>Kazi Albab Hussain, the study's lead author and a doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, emphasized the need for public awareness.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"It is really important to know how many micro- and nanoplastics we are taking in," said Hussain. "When we eat specific foods, we are generally informed or have an idea about their caloric content, sugar levels, other nutrients. I believe it’s equally important that we are aware of the number of plastic particles present in our food."</p>



<p>According to Hussain, understanding the quantity of micro- and nanoplastics we consume could be key to grasping the potential harm they might cause. He notes that several studies, including their own, demonstrate a strong link between the toxicity of these particles and the degree of exposure.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>The idea for this research stemmed from Hussain's personal experience as a new father in 2021. The lack of studies focused on the release of plastic particles from plastic containers and pouches, which are common in the baby food market, motivated him and his team to investigate.</p>



<p>Using polypropylene baby food containers and a reusable polyethylene pouch, both approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the team conducted a series of tests. They filled the containers with deionized water or 3% acetic acid to simulate dairy products and other relatively acidic food items, then microwaved them at full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team subsequently analyzed the liquids for microplastics, particles at least 1/1,000th of a millimeter in diameter, and nanoplastics, particles even smaller.</p>



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



<p>The results varied depending on several factors, such as the type of container and its contents, but one disturbing trend was clear. Infants and toddlers consuming microwaved water or dairy products appear to ingest the highest relative concentrations of plastics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Simulated experiments on refrigeration and room-temperature storage of food and drink over a six-month period also suggested that these practices could trigger the release of micro- and nanoplastics.</p>



<p>Even with his knowledge, Hussain acknowledges the challenge of avoiding plastics in childcare. "For my baby, I was unable to completely avoid the use of plastic," he admits. "But I was able to avoid those (scenarios) which were causing more of the release of micro- and nanoplastics. People also deserve to know those, and they should choose wisely."</p>



<h2 id="h-kidney-cells-may-be-especially-vulnerable">Kidney cells may be especially vulnerable&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In collaboration with Svetlana Romanova from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the team exposed cultured embryonic kidney cells to the released plastic particles. After 48 hours, a staggering 77% of the kidney cells exposed to the highest concentrations had died. This outcome was more severe than the results of previous studies on micro- and nanoplastic toxicity.</p>



<p>The researchers speculate that kidney cells might be more vulnerable to these particles than other cell types. Additionally, the fact that polypropylene containers and polyethylene pouches release about 1,000 times more nanoplastics than microplastics raises concerns about the ability of these tiny particles to infiltrate cells.</p>



<h2 id="h-safer-materials-are-needed">Safer materials are needed</h2>



<p>The full implications of micro- and nano- plastic consumption require further exploration, but the findings underscore the urgent need for alternative solutions in baby food storage.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Hussain called for a concerted effort to develop safer materials. “We need to find the polymers which release fewer (particles),” he said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"I am hopeful that a day will come when these products display labels that read 'microplastics-free' or 'nanoplastics-free.'" This is a crucial goal to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable populations.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01942"><em>Environmental Science &amp; Technology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>—-</p>



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Microwaving baby food containers releases billions of nanoplastics

A groundbreaking study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has revealed...

<p>In a shocking turn of events, an asteroid larger than the Leaning Tower of Pisa made an exceptionally close approach to Earth, slipping unnoticed past NASA's monitoring systems. This giant asteroid, designated 2023 NT1, managed to avoid detection until two days after it had already whizzed past our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-discovered-with-an-ocean-not-far-from-earth/">planet</a>.</p>



<p>The asteroid reached a startlingly close distance of around 62,000 miles from Earth. To put it in context, this is roughly a quarter of the distance between Earth and the Moon, a strikingly short distance in astronomical terms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, due to the unfortunate alignment with the sun, the asteroid was masked by sunlight, thereby evading early detection.</p>



<h2 id="h-flying-under-the-asteroid-detection-radar">Flying under the asteroid detection radar</h2>



<p>The asteroid, now moving away from Earth at an impressive speed of 25,000 miles per hour, boasts a diameter of up to 200 feet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This size distinction places 2023 NT1 as larger than the 60-foot Chelyabinsk meteor that famously crashed into Earth's atmosphere in 2013, resulting in injuries to over 1,600 people.</p>



<p>Based on information provided by <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> and the <a href="https://www.iau.org/">International Astronomical Union</a>, the close encounter with 2023 NT1 occurred at 10:12 UTC on July 13.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, ATLAS South Africa didn't make the first recorded observation until two days later. Specialists specifically designed this four-telescope system to detect potentially hazardous asteroids.</p>



<h2 id="h-was-the-asteroid-potentially-hazardous">Was the asteroid potentially hazardous?</h2>



<p>In a social media discussion about the incident, amateur astronomer Tony Dunn speculated that, with a diameter of up to 200 feet, 2023 NT1 could be larger than the asteroid believed to have created the Meteor Crater in Arizona. </p>



<p>This significant landmark near Flagstaff, spanning around 3,900 feet in diameter, is attributed to a collision that occurred approximately 50,000 years ago.</p>



<p>Although 2023 NT1's approach to our planet was alarmingly close, it is not technically classified as "potentially hazardous." </p>



<p>The criteria for this designation require the asteroid to come within 0.05 astronomical units (roughly 4.65 million miles) of Earth and be larger than 459 feet in diameter. While 2023 NT1 meets the proximity requirement, its size falls short of the designated threat threshold.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-sun-s-glare-obscured-nt1">The sun's glare obscured NT1</h2>



<p>Despite its innocuous passage this time around, 2023 NT1's close flyby underscores the ongoing challenge in detecting some asteroids, particularly those obscured by the sun's glare. </p>



<p>For example, the Chelyabinsk meteor of 2013 remained undetected due to its radiant point's proximity to the sun. The meteor eventually exploded in a spectacular fireball, releasing an energy equivalent to 500,000 tons of TNT and sending a shockwave twice around the globe.</p>



<p>In light of such incidents, there are proactive measures underway to mitigate future threats. The European Space Agency plans to launch its NEOMIR orbiting observatory around 2030 as one such initiative. Designers created this observatory to act as an early warning system, detecting and monitoring any asteroid approaching Earth from the direction of the sun.</p>



<p>Positioned at the L1 Lagrange point, a stable point in space between Earth and the sun, NEOMIR's infrared telescope aims to identify asteroids 65 feet and larger that are currently masked by sunlight.</p>



<h2 id="h-planetary-defense">Planetary defense&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Such efforts are part of the broader conversation around planetary defense, a topic that has gained substantial attention following NASA's successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission last September. During this mission, the DART spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos, an asteroid moonlet in the double-asteroid system of Didymos, marking humanity's first successful planetary defense test.</p>



<p>Despite these advancements, there are some asteroid types that may prove difficult, if not impossible, to deflect using current techniques, as indicated by recent studies. "Rubble pile" asteroids, like Itokawa, consist of boulders and rocks loosely clustered together. </p>



<p>Due to their structure, these asteroids could potentially absorb the energy of an impact and continue on their trajectory, posing challenges to future mitigation strategies.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-asteroid-detection">More about asteroid detection</h2>



<p>Asteroid detection involves the use of various observational technologies and techniques to identify and track asteroids, particularly those that may pose a threat to Earth (also known as Near-Earth Objects, or NEOs).&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-ground-based-telescopes">Ground-based telescopes</h3>



<p>Ground-based telescopes typically use charge-coupled devices (CCDs) to record images of the sky. Scientists then use software to compare images taken at different times and look for objects that have moved. The key ground-based facilities include the Catalina Sky Survey in the United States and the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii.</p>



<h3 id="h-space-based-detection">Space-based detection</h3>



<p>Space-based detectors offer several advantages over ground-based ones. They can observe the sky continuously, aren't affected by the Earth's weather or daylight, and can detect objects that are faint or close to the sun, which are difficult to observe from Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations (NEOO) program uses a space-based infrared telescope called NEOWISE to detect asteroids. Development is also underway for the NEO Surveillance Mission (NEOSM), previously known as the Near-Earth Object Camera (NEOCam).</p>



<p>Efforts are also underway to improve asteroid detection capabilities. For instance, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), renamed as Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which is under construction in Chile, will have a much larger field of view than existing telescopes. When it becomes operational, scientists expect it to significantly improve asteroid detection.</p>



<p>Scientists use data from these telescopes and detectors to calculate the orbits of detected asteroids and assess whether they pose a threat to Earth. The Minor Planet Center in Massachusetts is the global repository for such information.</p>



<h3 id="h-detection-remains-a-challenge">Detection remains a challenge</h3>



<p>However, even with these resources, asteroid detection remains a significant challenge. Many asteroids are very small or dark, making them difficult to spot, and the vastness of space means that there are many areas to search. </p>



<p>Additionally, predicting the exact path of an asteroid is difficult due to the gravitational influence of other celestial bodies and the so-called Yarkovsky effect, where an asteroid's trajectory can be subtly altered by the radiation of heat from its surface.</p>



<p>Scientists and engineers continue to develop new technologies and techniques to improve asteroid detection, including better algorithms for processing images, new types of sensors, and proposals for new space-based telescopes. The goal is to find potentially hazardous asteroids as early as possible, providing time to take action if necessary.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Close encounter: Giant asteroid slipped by Earth last week, evading detection

In a shocking turn of events, an asteroid larger than...

<p>A study from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado Boulder</a> has uncovered a new perspective on the environmental benefits of reducing food waste. Contrary to long standing beliefs, curbing food waste may not deliver the anticipated environmental impact, although it could potentially improve global food security.</p>



<p>The reduction of food waste has been widely recognized as a crucial step in mitigating the environmental impacts of our food system. For instance, food loss and waste in the supply chain contribute to an astounding 24 percent of global food system greenhouse gas emissions and six percent of total <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-emissions-from-fertilizers-could-be-cut-by-80-percent/">emissions</a> worldwide. That's not even accounting for the average of 527 calories wasted per person per day on a global scale.</p>



<p>However, the study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00792-z"><em>Nature Food</em></a>, suggests that the environmental benefit of reducing food waste might be less pronounced than previously assumed. Instead, the real impact could be a significant drop in food prices, causing a surge in consumption rates.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>The research was led by a team from the <a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/">Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences</a> (CIRES), using a holistic approach to examine the implications of reducing food loss and waste.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This incorporated guidelines set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2021, focusing on food loss occurring on the supply side (food spoiled or damaged before reaching retailers) and food waste happening on the demand side (food discarded by consumers or retailers).</p>



<p>Margaret Hegwood, the study's lead author and a CIRES/CU Boulder PhD candidate, emphasized the necessity of understanding the full repercussions of reducing food waste and loss. She argued that increasing the available food supply would lead to lower prices, sparking predictable shifts in consumer behavior.</p>



<p>“Let's say the price of cereals goes down because of improvements in food system efficiency, now you can afford to eat the same amount more often. Consumers respond to these price decreases, purchasing more than they had before, which offsets some of the benefits of reducing the food loss and waste," explained Hegwood.</p>



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



<p>In order to understand this interplay between supply and demand, the authors developed a simple model to observe the consequences of waste and loss reductions.</p>



<p>“Our model basically formalized ECON 101: reducing food loss and waste shifts the supply and demand curves, respectively,” said study co-author Professor Matt Burgess. “How sensitive supply and demand are to prices - which we get from previous research - then determines how much we project food prices and consumption will change.”</p>



<p>The results revealed that a significant offset exists, with a complete reduction in food loss and waste slicing away from half to two-thirds of the expected environmental benefits.</p>



<p>While the research simulated scenarios of reduced food waste and loss, the authors refrained from making specific assumptions about how these reductions would be achieved. Such strategies depend heavily on a plethora of variables including food type, regional factors, consumption habits, access to technology, political context, and dietary needs.</p>



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study</h2>



<p>This research stands out in the academic landscape, marking the first of its kind to scrutinize the impacts of decreased food loss and waste on a global scale. Previous studies have mostly confined their focus to regional or national levels.</p>



<p>Hegwood hopes that their findings will prompt a reevaluation of the discourse surrounding food waste and loss, shifting the emphasis from environmental impact towards food security.</p>



<p>“And I think likely, at least to some extent, that this could mean that our efforts to reduce food loss and waste could actually not be as beneficial for the environment as we think they could be, but it’s super beneficial in terms of food security,” said Hegwood. “And I think that is very important for people to think about.”</p>



<h2 id="h-what-types-of-food-are-often-wasted">What types of food are often wasted?</h2>



<p>Food waste is a significant issue globally. It not only represents a waste of resources but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some types of food that are commonly wasted:</p>



<h3 id="h-fruits-and-vegetables">Fruits and vegetables</h3>



<p>These are among the most frequently wasted foods. This is often because of their relatively short shelf life, and also because cosmetic standards can lead to the rejection of perfectly good produce.</p>



<h3 id="h-bread-and-bakery-items">Bread and bakery items</h3>



<p>Bread and other bakery items are often wasted because they have a short shelf-life and may not be consumed before they go stale or moldy.</p>



<h3 id="h-dairy-products">Dairy products</h3>



<p>Milk, yogurt, and other dairy products are often thrown away when they are not consumed by their sell-by or use-by dates. The same goes for cheese, which can go bad if not properly stored or consumed in a timely manner.</p>



<h3 id="h-meat-and-fish">Meat and fish</h3>



<p>These are commonly wasted both at the retail level and in households. This may be due to over-purchasing, improper storage, or not being consumed by the expiration date.</p>



<h3 id="h-prepared-foods-and-leftovers">Prepared foods and leftovers</h3>



<p>A significant amount of food waste comes from both homes and restaurants in the form of prepared foods that are not eaten in time. This includes leftovers from meals that are not consumed.</p>



<h3 id="h-grains-and-pasta">Grains and pasta</h3>



<p>While these items often have a longer shelf life, they can still contribute to food waste, particularly when cooked in too-large quantities that are not consumed.</p>



<h3 id="h-eggs">Eggs</h3>



<p>These can be wasted if they're not used by their sell-by date or if they break during transport or storage.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Reducing food waste: Greater food security, less environmental benefits

A study from the University of Colorado Boulder has uncovered...

<p>A recent study led by <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/">Durham University</a> has revealed an intriguing yet concerning phenomenon regarding how European breeding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diving-birds-face-a-greater-risk-of-extinction/">birds</a> have adapted to climate change over the past three decades.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Contrary to initial expectations, these avian species have exhibited a slower response to climate shifts, offering a potential insight into the challenges and intricacies of species migration and survival in a rapidly changing environment.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>The researchers discovered that the geographical range of European breeding birds has shifted at an average rate of 2.4km per year over the last 30 years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding is particularly significant when considering that the predicted shift based on climate changes alone should have been approximately 50 percent faster. These results, therefore, underscore the extent to which the migration of these species has deviated from the theoretical predictions.</p>



<p>The methodology of the study involved analyzing data from two Europe-wide bird distribution atlases published 30 years apart.&nbsp;</p>



<p>An intriguing finding from the study was that local colonization and extinction events among species were not strongly impacted by the climatic changes between the two survey periods. Instead, they were predominantly influenced by the climatic conditions at the time of the first surveys.</p>



<h2 id="h-fascinating-responses">Fascinating responses&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Professor Stephen Willis from Durham University’s Department of Biosciences, one of the study leaders, provided a comprehensive interpretation of these findings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our results possibly indicate two fascinating responses to recent climate change," Willis explained. "On one hand, we see ‘colonization lags’ where species fail to follow improving climates, potentially due to the unavailability of suitable habitats or prey in new locations. On the other hand, we witness fewer extinctions in areas where we anticipated them, potentially indicating ‘extinction debts.’”</p>



<p>Willis further elaborated on the concept of "extinction debts," referring to situations where species persist in areas with unfavorable climatic conditions, due to time lag effects in their preferred habitats changing.</p>



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study</h2>



<p>A significant revelation from the study was the importance of maintaining networks of local populations, both to minimize extinctions and to make populations more resilient to the impacts of climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The significant role of non-climatic factors in altering range changes illustrates that climate is just one factor impacting populations of European breeding birds," said study first author Dr.&nbsp; Christine Howard. She also warned against factors like persecution, which are still causing major issues for many species.</p>



<p>Dr. Sergi Herrando, who spearheaded the collation of data for the most recent distribution atlas, remarked on the invaluable contribution of coordinated survey data across many countries. “The work presented here underscores the ways in which such data, collected from a staggering number of 120,000 field workers, can be utilized to better comprehend the causes of species losses and gains,” Dr. Herrando said.</p>



<p>The findings from this research, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>, are not only enlightening for the scientific community but also carry far-reaching implications for conservation efforts. Funded in part by the National Environment Research Council, the study forms a vital part of UK Research and Innovation, contributing to our understanding of how climate change is influencing biodiversity.</p>



<h2 id="h-european-breeding-birds">European breeding birds</h2>



<p>There are numerous species of breeding birds in Europe, from the common to the rare and endangered. They encompass a wide variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, grasslands, mountains, and even urban areas.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-well-known-examples">Well-known examples&nbsp;</h3>



<h4 id="h-european-robin">European Robin</h4>



<p>This is one of the most famous European birds. They are small, often found in gardens, and are identifiable by their distinctive red breast.</p>



<h4 id="h-barn-swallow">Barn Swallow</h4>



<p>Known for their long migrations, Barn Swallows breed across Europe and fly south to Africa for the winter. They have a beautiful blue-black back and a reddish-brown throat.</p>



<h4 id="h-common-chaffinch">Common Chaffinch&nbsp;</h4>



<p>These are common garden birds throughout Europe. The males are brightly colored, with a blue-grey cap, pink cheeks and breast, and a greenish rump.</p>



<h4 id="h-european-goldfinch">European Goldfinch&nbsp;</h4>



<p>These are small birds with a distinctive red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts and white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches.</p>



<h4 id="h-blue-tit">Blue Tit&nbsp;</h4>



<p>Known for their blue and yellow plumage, these are popular garden birds that are often seen at bird feeders.</p>



<h4 id="h-common-blackbird">Common Blackbird&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>



<p>These birds are entirely black in males with a yellow eye-ring and bill, while females are brown. They are common in gardens and woodland areas.</p>



<h4 id="h-eurasian-sparrowhawk">Eurasian Sparrowhawk</h4>



<p>A small bird of prey, it's found in woodland and sometimes in gardens. Males have bluish-grey back and wings and orangey-brown bars on their chest and belly, while females are larger with brown back and wings.</p>



<h4 id="h-white-stork">White Stork&nbsp;</h4>



<p>Famous for their nesting habits, they build large stick nests in trees or on buildings and other structures. They are white with black flight feathers and a red bill and legs.</p>



<h4 id="h-european-bee-eater">European Bee-eater&nbsp;</h4>



<p>A brightly colored bird found in southern Europe, they nest in sandy banks, usually near river shores, where they dig a tunnel and lay their eggs.</p>



<h4 id="h-atlantic-puffin">Atlantic Puffin&nbsp;</h4>



<p>This seabird breeds in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, laying its eggs in burrows or crevices.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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European breeding birds adapt to climate change at a slower pace

A recent study led by Durham University has revealed an...

Big,Sun,Eruption,-,Elements,Of,This,Image,Furnished,By

<p>In an unusual space weather event, Earth is bracing for a "cannibal" coronal mass ejection, or CME, from the Sun, a large cloud of magnetized plasma that could potentially trigger minor geomagnetic storms and power outages. The term for this solar storm, which may sound harrowing, describes a relatively rare cosmic phenomenon that scientists are still striving to fully understand.</p>



<p>Typically, our planet gets hit by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) - massive bursts of gas and magnetic field released from the Sun's corona - fairly frequently. Yet, this incoming wave of energy is anything but typical.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Today's CME is classified as a "cannibal" due to its formation following a series of solar storms and a peculiar "dark eruption." This CME distinguished itself from regular ones as it absorbed a preceding ejection, essentially "eating" it to create a much larger and more powerful cloud of gas.</p>



<h2 id="h-blackouts-are-possible-from-cmes">Blackouts are possible from CMEs</h2>



<p>According to scientists, this cannibal CME, despite its ominous name, is unlikely to pose a significant threat to our electronic systems, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-detect-methane-emission-from-cow-burps/">satellites</a>, or power grids. However, there is the possibility of minor outages and blackouts as the CME strikes Earth today.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"These storms manifest as major disturbances in Earth's magnetic field, potentially causing various space weather effects," says Sean Elvidge, an associate professor of space environment at the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a>. While on one hand, they can disrupt communication systems by causing radio blackouts, on the other, they can lead to spectacular natural light shows in the form of auroras, he explains.</p>



<h2 id="h-cannibalistic-plasma-wave">"Cannibalistic" plasma wave</h2>



<p>Four days ago, a solar flare distinguished by unusually cool plasma, hence termed a "dark eruption," was launched in tandem with a CME. Within 24 hours, another, much faster CME erupted from a separate, larger sunspot. This second, speedier CME eventually caught up with the first, creating the "cannibalistic" plasma wave that we now anticipate.</p>



<p>Forecasts by the Space Weather arm of the Met Office and the US-based Space Weather Prediction Center predict unsettled to active geomagnetic activity at first, with the chance of minor geomagnetic storms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Such impacts are fairly infrequent because they necessitate successive CMEs traveling at specific speeds and in perfect alignment. However, a similar event took place just two years ago, prompting a major geomagnetic storm.</p>



<p>These storms are categorized according to the G-scale, with G-1 being the weakest, causing mild power grid fluctuations and minor impact on satellite operations. The scale progresses through to G-5, the most extreme level, which can instigate blackouts, damage transformers, and make it difficult to control satellites in low-Earth orbit. The storm anticipated for today is predicted to be of the G-1 type.</p>



<h2 id="h-solar-storm-peak-in-2025">Solar storm peak in 2025</h2>



<p>While cannibal CMEs are quite rare, they become increasingly more common as the sun nears the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. This cycle peak, the next of which is due in 2025, coincides with a greater instability in the Sun's magnetic field, thereby increasing the number of sunspots from which CMEs can erupt.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although initial predictions suggested the 2025 peak would be weaker than past solar maximums, recent research posits that it may be stronger and could even occur earlier than expected.</p>



<h2 id="h-northern-lights-over-britain">Northern Lights over Britain&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the "cannibal" solar storm arriving today might hold a pleasant surprise for skywatchers, particularly in the Northern parts of Britain. They could have the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, a stunning natural light display triggered by geomagnetic storms.</p>



<p>As the CME sweeps into Earth, it's predicted to escalate the geomagnetic activity from unsettled to minor or moderate by tomorrow. Consequently, between 9pm GMT and midnight, auroras are likely to be visible, especially from darker, rural areas of Northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.</p>



<p>However, predicting the precise location for observing the Northern Lights can be a challenge, as the conditions can rapidly change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"To predict exactly where you can see the northern lights is difficult as conditions can change quickly," said Professor Don Pollacco from the Department of Physics, <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/">University of Warwick</a>. Nonetheless, he suggests looking towards the northern horizon from a dimly lit rural environment, preferably away from city lights.</p>



<p>Though the geomagnetic activity is predicted to diminish after this period, the spectacle of auroras could still be observed in the far North of the UK on the following Saturday evening. It's an extraordinary instance of nature's power and beauty, reminding us of the immense energy of our Sun, and the effects that this distant star can have on our planet.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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"Cannibal" CME from the sun is headed our way, watch for auroras tonight

In an unusual space weather event, Earth is bracing for...

<p>The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve in central Belize covers about 267 miles of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-around-the-world-are-turning-brown-during-summer/">forests</a>, savannas, streams, rocky mountains, and caverns that are very difficult to access. In this type of terrain, tracking elusive animals like jaguars is extremely challenging.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Now, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.uc.edu/">University of Cincinnati</a> has devised a novel and noninvasive technique for identifying the landscape use and conservation needs of elusive wildlife such as jaguars.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-follow-the-feces">Follow the feces</h2>



<p>By applying genetic and isotopic analyses of jaguar scat – detected by two dogs named Billy and Bruiser – the experts investigated the habitat needs of these big cats that share their environment with a variety of other species, including pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Jaguars tend to stay away from people and are typically found at more remote sites. You have to be extremely lucky to see one in the wild,”&nbsp;said study co-author Claudia Wultsch, a wildlife biologist at the <a href="https://www.cuny.edu/">City University of New York</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Earth-Day-success.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p>According to Wultsch and her colleagues, a good alternative to study solitary, wide-ranging, nocturnal, and difficult to capture animals such as the majestic jaguar is a combination of genetic and isotopic analyses of their scat.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The former technique, known as molecular scatology, can help identify not only different species but also the individual cats that produced each sample, while the latter can offer reliable clues about where the animals hunted based on the geology and vegetation of the area.</p>



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



<p>Larger than leopards, jaguars are powerful apex predators and opportunistic hunters that consume a wide variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. In Belize, where they are protected and live in a network of dedicated reserves, they even eat armadillos, deer, and coatis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In 2000, researchers found that jaguars inhabiting this region had a large enough population to maintain genetic diversity, but they also detected some habitat loss and fragmentation in parts of their historical range.</p>



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



<p>The current study revealed that jaguars hunted their prey in the reserve’s pine forest savanna rather than in forests or agricultural areas, with male jaguars controlling (overlapping) territories of over 60 square miles. Moreover, the scientists found evidence that the jaguars were avoiding regions where prey was scarce due to recent wildfires, corroborating a previous camera trapping study.</p>



<p></p>



<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/0kbyAmopnWc
</div></figure>



<p>“Some forested areas in Belize have become more fragmented and isolated over the last 50 years, so one of the objectives of our research is to assess how jaguars are doing at several protected areas across Belize,” Wultsch said.</p>



<p>Better understanding these animals’ habitat use and hunting techniques could help devise better conservation strategies to protect them, the authors concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10344-023-01701-2"><em>European Journal of Wildlife Research</em></a><em>.</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Jaguars (Panthera onca) are one of the big cat species in the Panthera genus, which also includes lions, tigers, and leopards. Jaguars are native to the Americas, where they primarily live in rainforests, swamps, and grasslands.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Jaguars are considered near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), largely due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Here are some key points about jaguars:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-characteristics">Physical characteristics</h3>



<p>Jaguars are well-known for their powerful build, and they're the third-largest big cat species, after tigers and lions. They have a distinct coat pattern, featuring a yellow or tan base color with black spots, often forming a rosette pattern. Some jaguars are melanistic, which means they appear almost entirely black.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunting-and-diet">Hunting and diet</h3>



<p>Jaguars are apex predators with a wide diet. They are known for their strength and agility, and they can take down prey ranging from small rodents to large animals like caimans and tapirs. A distinguishing feature of the jaguar's hunting style is its ability to deliver a powerful bite directly through the skull of its prey, killing it instantly.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-and-distribution">Habitat and distribution</h3>



<p>Jaguars are found primarily in Central and South America, with a few remaining populations in the southwestern United States. They prefer dense rainforests, but can also be found in grasslands, woodlands, and swampland.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproduction">Reproduction</h3>



<p>Female jaguars usually give birth to two to four cubs after a gestation period of around 100 days. The cubs are born blind and gain their sight after two weeks.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation">Conservation</h3>



<p>The jaguar is a near-threatened species and its numbers are declining. Threats include loss and fragmentation of habitat, conflicts with humans, and illegal trade in jaguar parts. Various conservation initiatives are in place to protect and preserve this majestic species.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

Experts are tracking the elusive jaguar by studying its poop

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve in central Belize covers...

<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>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>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.

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
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<p>A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. </p>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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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

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