Scientists have engineered wheat to nudge soil bacteria into producing plant-ready nitrogen, a shift that could cut fertilizer use, curb pollution, and lower farm costs without sacrificing yields. 



The plants overproduce a natural compound, leak the excess into the soil, and in doing so jumpstart nearby microbes that “fix” nitrogen from the air into forms crops can use.



In this work, a team at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, led by Eduardo Blumwald, used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crispr-used-to-remove-extra-chromosomes-in-down-syndrome-and-restore-cell-function/">CRISPR</a> to dial up a wheat metabolite and tested the effect under low-nitrogen conditions.



The study extends earlier proof-of-concept in rice, with efforts underway to translate the approach to other staple cereals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-nitrogen-fuels-global-harvests">Synthetic nitrogen fuels global harvests</h2>



Worldwide, synthetic nitrogen fuels modern harvests but at a steep environmental and economic price. Wheat alone accounts for about 18 percent of global nitrogen fertilizer use. Of the hundreds of millions of tons produced each year, plants capture only 30 to 50 percent.



The remainder washes into rivers and coasts, feeding oxygen-starved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/excess-nutrients-are-creating-ocean-dead-zones/">dead zones</a>, or escapes as nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. For smallholder farmers, especially in low-income regions, cost and access make fertilizer a gamble.



“In Africa, people don't use fertilizers because they don’t have money, and farms are small, not larger than six to eight acres,” Blumwald said. “Imagine, you are planting crops that stimulate bacteria in the soil to create the fertilizer that the crops need, naturally. Wow! That’s a big difference!”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wheat-learns-microbes-nitrogen-trick">Wheat learns microbes’ nitrogen trick</h2>



Nitrogen fixation is carried out by specialized bacteria using an enzyme called nitrogenase, which only functions in low-oxygen conditions. Legumes such as beans and peas solve this by hosting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-root-microbiomes-like-humans-do-vital-for-survival-defense/">microbes</a> in root nodules, which are tiny oxygen-poor chambers. 



Cereals like wheat lack nodules, which is why they rely on bagged nitrogen. Rather than trying to give cereals nodules or force microbes to colonize roots - a strategy that has long struggled to stick - the team flipped the problem.



The researchers screened roughly 2,800 plant-made chemicals and found a small set, including flavones, that prompt soil <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-bacteria-get-hungry-they-turn-on-each-other/">bacteria</a> to form protective biofilms. Those sticky microbial coats reduce oxygen exposure enough for nitrogenase to work.



“For decades, scientists have been trying to develop cereal crops that produce active root nodules, or trying to colonize cereals with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, without much success. We used a different approach,” Blumwald said.



“We said the location of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria is not important, so long as the fixed nitrogen can reach the plant, and the plant can use it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-edit-flips-fertilizer-switch">Gene edit flips fertilizer switch</h2>



Using CRISPR, the researchers boosted wheat’s production of apigenin, a common flavone. Plants kept what they needed and exuded the surplus through their roots.



In soil tests, the extra apigenin encouraged local bacteria to spin up biofilms, protecting nitrogenase, fixing nitrogen, and making ammonium available for the crop. In low-fertility conditions, edited wheat assimilated the microbially supplied nitrogen and outyielded control plants.



The amazing thing lies in what the plant does automatically. It manufactures the signal, leaks it when nitrogen is scarce, and benefits from the neighborhood effect. No external inoculants are required, and the microbes remain free-living in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-type-of-microbes-found-earths-deep-soil-critical-zone/">soil</a> rather than locked inside a root.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-down-resilience-up"><a></a>Pollution down, resilience up</h2>



If scaled, the approach could trim the fertilizer footprint that drives water pollution and climate forcing in wheat and other crops. Less soluble nitrogen applied to fields means less runoff during storms, smaller algal blooms, and fewer oxygen crashes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-shock-lakes-are-losing-oxygen-faster-than-expected/">lakes</a> and coastal zones. 



Cutting back on industrial nitrogen also reduces upstream emissions from natural-gas-intensive fertilizer production.



Because the mechanism amplifies microbial activity already present in many soils, it may also help stabilize yields under input constraints. In places where fertilizer is scarce or prohibitively expensive, the crop’s own chemistry becomes a lever to unlock atmospheric nitrogen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-billions-saved-with-less-fertilizer">Billions saved with less fertilizer</h2>



The United States alone saw nearly $36 billion in fertilizer spending in 2023. Cereals cover close to 500 million acres nationally. Even modest reductions in inputs translate into real money while lowering risk in volatile markets.



“Imagine, if you could save 10 percent of the amount of fertilizer being used on that land,” Blumwald said. “I’m calculating conservatively: That should be a savings of more than a billion dollars every year.”



Those savings would not come solely from buying less nitrogen. Fewer passes to apply fertilizer mean lower fuel use and less soil compaction. Reduced losses to waterways could also ease regulatory pressure and improve community relations in vulnerable watersheds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proving-stability-across-soil-types">Proving stability across soil types</h2>



The road from greenhouse pots to farm fields is long, but the milestones are clear. Researchers will need to confirm that the nitrogen boost holds under diverse soils, climates, and microbiomes, and that it plays nicely with existing rotations and management. 



They will need to show stable performance across seasons and varieties, measure effects on soil ecology, and ensure that yields and grain quality are maintained.



Because the edit increases a native metabolite rather than introducing a foreign gene, regulatory pathways may be more straightforward in some jurisdictions. Still, farmers and policymakers will want transparent data on environmental outcomes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-solar-power-can-transform-urine-into-fertilizer/">fertilizer</a> savings, and return on investment.



If the results scale, gene-edited cereals like wheat that recruit their own microbial fertilizer factories could become a practical tool in the nitrogen toolbox - cutting costs where budgets are tight, trimming pollution where waters run foul, and building resilience in the breadbaskets of a warming world.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.70289" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Biotechnology Journal</a>.



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Gene-edited wheat turns soil microbes into fertilizer

Scientists have engineered wheat to nudge soil bacteria into producing plant-ready nitrogen, a shift that could cut fertilizer use, curb pollution, and lower farm costs without sacrificing yields. The plants overproduce a natural compound, leak the excess into the soil, and in doing so jumpstart nearby microbes that “fix” nitrogen from the air into forms crops can use. In this work, a team at the University of California, Davis, led by Eduardo Blumwald, used CRISPR to dial up a wheat metabolite and tested the effect under low-nitrogen...

Young trees in large forests are often dismissed as bit players in the fight against climate change, but new evidence shows their importance is anything but small. 



The latest study of <a href="https://www.fao.org/4/j0628e/J0628E16.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secondary forest regrowth</a> found that young trees, only a few decades old, can lock away carbon faster than almost any other land based solution.



Researchers mapped carbon removal in regrowing woodlands worldwide and discovered a sweet spot between 20 and 40 years where <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-carbon-sequestration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a> peaks, reaching up to eight times the rate recorded in newly sprouting forest patches.



The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02355-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> was led by ecologist <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/gees/muelbert-adriane-esquivel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adriane Esquivel-Muelbert</a> at the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, whose team says protecting these adolescent forests could keep billions of tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-forests-trap-more-carbon">Young forests trap more carbon</h2>



“Our research underscores the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-fire-smoke-boosts-ocean-life-but-with-a-hidden-cost/">critical role</a> of young secondary forests in the global fight against climate change,” said Esquivel-Muelbert. 



Overlooking their protection could forfeit the opportunity to capture carbon more quickly and at a larger scale when it's needed most.



The emphasis on youth contrasts with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-lagging-centuries-behind-in-climate-adaptation/">reforestation</a> drives that prioritize planting, then wait decades for stored carbon to accrue. 



Keeping a 25 year old stand standing can deliver as much carbon benefit as planting several acres of new trees because its engines are already running at full speed.



A global <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2686-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthesis</a> published in 2020 showed that natural forest regrowth could capture 226 gigatons of carbon over the century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maps-reveal-fastest-carbon-gains">Maps reveal fastest carbon gains</h2>



The new paper applies a random forest model, crunching 109,708 field plots and 66 environmental layers to generate one kilometer growth curves for stands up to 100 years old. 



That computational lift produced the first fine scale map of how fast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/virtual-forest-bathing-can-reduce-stress-and-improve-mood/">above-ground biomass</a> piles up decade by decade.



Across 800 million hectares of land identified as restorable, starting regeneration in 2025 could remove 20.3 billion metric tons of carbon by 2050. 



Delay the start to 2035 and the budget shrinks by almost half, underscoring the cost of procrastination.



Machine learning also revealed how growth spurts shift with latitude, offering a tool planners can use to rank projects by speed of return. Such spatial precision was impossible a decade ago.



Earlier satellite <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36922608/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> led by Viola Heinrich showed recovering humid tropical forests store an average 3.6 billion tons of carbon but only if they survive interruptions from fire or fresh clearing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-forests-left-out-of-climate-plans">Young forests left out of climate plans</h2>



The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/2023-ipcc-ar6-synthesis-report-climate-change-findings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPCC</a>) warns that deep emissions cuts alone will not limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels, making carbon removal essential. 



Yet current market rules rarely pay for preserving forests younger than 20 years, creating a blind spot that could derail mitigation efforts.



Co‑author <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/gees/pugh-thomas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Pugh</a>, from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, at the University of Birmingham, notes that young stands “aren’t even on the books” for many offset schemes, despite their outsized impact. 



Fixing that oversight, the team argues, would steer finance toward projects that begin sequestering carbon within a single election cycle instead of a generation.



A persistent global forest sink of roughly <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1201609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2.4 petagrams</a> of carbon per year from 1990 to 2007 already helps offset emissions, but analysts say ramping up the sink during the decisive 2020s could keep warming targets within reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-location-changes-forest-carbon-speed">Location changes forest carbon speed</h2>



<a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/resource-library-biomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biome</a> type influences when forests hit their peak carbon removal rates. In <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/biome/biorainforest.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warm tropical zones</a>, forests often reach their highest rates in their early 20s, while <a href="https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/mediterranean-woodlands-and-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean woodlands</a> may not hit that point until they're closer to 50 years old.



Even so, the per hectare advantage of youth appears everywhere. In the Amazon, a forest that is eight years old today would draw 36 percent more carbon by 2030 than a clear cut plot replanted next year.



Similar arithmetic holds in <a href="http://costarica-information.com/nature/ecosystems-of-costa-rica/Lowland%20Rainforest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Costa Rica’s wet lowlands</a>, where a 20 year old stand can outperform seedlings by 65 percent over the same window. That universality makes age tracking as important as area.



Journalist <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/policymakers-often-ignore-forest-regeneration-fight-against-climate-change-2025-06-24/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> show that fewer than six percent of young forests in the tropics survive long enough to reach their twentieth birthday, often sacrificed to repeat agricultural cycles or burned in accidental fires.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-trees-saves-money">Saving trees saves money</h2>



Carbon credits linked to young forest protection could offer investors quicker returns than tree planting programs because monitoring tools can confirm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-forests-helps-birds-and-humans-in-many-ways/">biomass gains</a> within a few years. That speed matters to companies racing toward net zero pledges set for 2030.



Maintaining existing young stands is also cheaper for governments. Studies suggest natural regeneration costs a fraction of active planting while delivering side benefits such as better soil structure and wildlife habitat.



A fresh economic <a href="https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/N4C_NaturePositiveRecoveryReport_063020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> estimated that every dollar spent on safeguarding regrowth can yield climate returns three to four times higher than planting efforts in the same region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-talks-may-boost-forests">Global talks may boost forests</h2>



The study lands months before negotiators gather in Belém, Brazil, for <a href="https://cop30.br/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COP30</a>. The hosts sit amid the world’s largest tropical forest and also the fastest disappearing, giving added weight to calls for immediate safeguards on regrowth.



“We urge policymakers to prioritize the protection and regeneration of young secondary forests,” said Esquivel‑Muelbert. She wants treaty language that treats young forests as a strategic reserve, not a placeholder. 



Brazilian officials have hinted that regrowth credits could join the country’s voluntary carbon market, a signal observers hope will ripple across the Amazon Basin. If other nations follow, the carbon math suggests the path to net zero could get a much needed boost.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02355-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Young forests, big climate punch: Why 20-year‑old trees matter most

Young trees in large forests are often dismissed as bit...

In South Florida, the sea level has been edging upward by roughly 2.4 to 3.7 millimeters a year, reshaping shorelines and pushing salt water farther inland. 



A new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725018183" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of Everglades wetlands shows that this slow creep of salt can boost total carbon storage, if managers leave space for migrating mangroves, while other plant communities stumble.



Sparkle Malone of the Yale School of the Environment and Amanda Richey from <a href="https://www.flbog.edu/university/florida-international-university/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida International University</a> led the field team that measured carbon flows across three <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-lagging-centuries-behind-in-climate-adaptation/">habitat</a> types in 2021.



Rising oceans create what ecologists call <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms12643" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate debt</a>, the lag between an ecosystem’s present state and the state best suited to new conditions. 



When that debt grows unchecked, coastal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-fire-smoke-boosts-ocean-life-but-with-a-hidden-cost/">wetlands</a> can drown, a scenario that could claim up to 78 percent of the world’s tidal marshes by 2,100 under high‑sea‑rise <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818115301879" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">projections</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mangroves-excel-at-carbon-capture">Mangroves excel at carbon capture</h2>



On Everglades transects, the team tracked the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/net-ecosystem-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">net ecosystem exchange</a> of carbon dioxide, a direct measure of whether a landscape breathes in or exhales CO₂. 



The researchers found that compact “scrub” mangroves, dominated by <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP502" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rhizophora mangle</a>, kept absorbing about 294 grams of carbon per square meter each year even when water levels covered a quarter of their stems, outperforming sawgrass prairies more than six‑fold.



“We expect that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/virtual-forest-bathing-can-reduce-stress-and-improve-mood/">mangroves</a> will need to continue moving further inland. If this occurs, it could enhance carbon capture in those new locations,” said Malone. 



The team's models suggest that as <a href="https://esa.org/esablog/about/ecotone-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecotone zones</a> creep inland at roughly 25 yards each year the net carbon uptake of the southeastern Everglades could climb another 12 percent, adding about 131 metric tons annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-freshwater-plants-struggle-in-floods">Freshwater plants struggle in floods</h2>



<a href="https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/marlprairie.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Freshwater marl prairie grasses</a> thrive when their leaves stay dry for part of the year. Once water sits above the soil for weeks, photosynthesis drops by a third and the prairie’s climate debt balloons, signaling low resilience to longer floods.



Ecotone mixtures of sawgrass and mangrove seedlings fall in the middle: tolerant of brief floods yet still losing ground when tides linger. 



Because the ecotone acts as a moving front, its health now sets the timetable for wholesale habitat turnover across the landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-mangroves-to-boost-carbon-storage">Moving mangroves to boost carbon storage</h2>



<a href="https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/3401/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mangroves</a> lock away carbon three to five times more densely than most tropical upland forests thanks to deep, anoxic sediments that slow decay. 



Allowing mangroves to colonize higher ground provides room for trunks and roots to pile up sediment, a natural levee that can keep pace with moderate sea‑level rise.



Blocking this migration with roads or seawalls traps the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-forests-helps-birds-and-humans-in-many-ways/">forest</a> against the tide, turning a productive carbon sink into open water. 



Managers who once fought encroaching salt now face the opposite task: clearing pathways for salt‑tolerant species to race inland ahead of the water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-to-protect-mangroves">Steps to protect mangroves </h2>



First, map low‑lying barriers that could choke future mangrove expansion, from old spoil berms to abandoned canals. 



Second, adjust freshwater releases so that salinity gradients shift gradually; sudden pulses of salt can kill sawgrass before mangroves take hold, leaving bare mud.



Third, prioritize restoration projects that connect patches of existing mangrove to potential refuge sites upslope, reducing fragment stress and fostering seed dispersal. 



Finally, track <a href="https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/ear-nose-and-throat/disequilibrium-of-aging.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disequilibrium</a> indicators such as <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.787877/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaf‑level photosynthesis</a> and soil elevation change so that intervention happens before large carbon debts accrue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-carbon-capture-and-biodiversity">Balancing carbon capture and biodiversity</h2>



Although scrub mangroves are efficient carbon sinks, they support a narrower range of species compared to freshwater prairies. 



As salinity increases, native amphibians, fish, and wading birds adapted to low-salt environments may be pushed out or face population declines.



Land managers will need to weigh these biodiversity losses against the climate benefits of carbon storage. 



In some zones, maintaining a mosaic of habitats might offer the best of both worlds: storing more carbon while protecting ecological diversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-other-coastlines">Lessons for other coastlines</h2>



The Everglades aren’t the only place where mangroves are pushing inland. Similar shifts are being observed in the Mississippi Delta, Australia’s Northern Territory, and parts of Southeast Asia where sea level rise, salt intrusion, and human disturbances are reshaping wetland boundaries.



Each site has different constraints, tidal range, land use, and species pools, but the patterns of mangroves shifting and carbon storage changes echo those seen in South Florida. 



This study offers a practical way to assess when to defend current habitats and when to help mangroves move inland for carbon benefits.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725018183?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Management</a>.



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How mangroves could store more carbon as oceans rise

In South Florida, the sea level has been edging upward...

When a ripe fruit of the Mediterranean squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) finally bursts, the show is over in a blink - unless you film it at 10,000 frames per second. 



A new study from the <a href="https://www.sgorb.zoologie.uni-kiel.de/">Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics at Kiel University</a>, Germany, used precisely that technology along with high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography.



The research reveals how the plant primes itself for one of the most spectacular examples of self-propelled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-europes-plants-at-risk-due-to-decline-in-seed-dispersers/">seed dispersal</a> in the plant kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-squirting-cucumber-explodes">Why the squirting cucumber explodes</h2>



Plants that deposit seeds right beneath a parent’s canopy face stiff competition for light, water, and nutrients. Evolution favors <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-squirting-cucumber-squirts-and-the-trigger-that-makes-it-happen/">strategies</a> that spread offspring widely - by wind, animals, or, in rare cases, by brute force.



The squirting cucumber belongs to that small third category. Once its water-rich fruit has matured, internal pressure builds up. It then suddenly ejects a viscous jet containing up to 30 seeds, launching them away at startling speed.



“Many factors have to interact perfectly to disperse the seeds in the most efficient way, while not destroying the whole plant too early,” said project leader Helen Gorges, a PhD student at Kiel. 



Untangling those factors was the goal of the research she presented this week at the <a href="https://www.sebiology.org/events/seb-annual-conference-antwerp-2025.html">Society for Experimental Biology annual meeting</a> in Antwerp, Belgium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cucumber-ripening-mapped-in-3d">Cucumber ripening mapped in 3D</h2>



The Kiel team began by scanning intact fruits with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to build three-dimensional models of the internal anatomy. 



Progressive scans taken during ripening charted how the tissues transformed from a firm, green cylinder into a biological pressure vessel poised to rupture.



Complementary micro-CT imaging of exploded fruit captured the aftermath in equally fine detail. This allowed the researchers to calculate how tissues deformed and ruptured in the millisecond before detonation.



Parallel high-speed videography supplied the missing frames. “We recorded the explosion of the fruit with high-speed videos at 1,000 fps and 10,000 fps to calculate the speed of the seeds and the possible shooting distances,” Gorges said.



Those recordings showed individual cucumber seeds rocketing out of the ruptured end at up to 29 miles per hour (about 13 m/s) before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unraveling-gravity-quantum-nature-entanglement-mechanics/">gravity</a> began to tug them earthward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fruit-aims-before-exploding">Fruit aims before exploding</h2>



Classical ballistics dictates that, for any projectile launched from ground level, an angle of 45° maximizes horizontal distance - assuming no air resistance. 



Because seeds leave a height above ground and endure aerodynamic drag, the optimum tilt is a little steeper.



Field measurements revealed over the final days of ripening, the fruit’s short stalk gradually straightened until the fruit nodded at 53° relative to horizontal. 



This angle is almost exactly the theoretical optimum of 50°, calculated for Ecballium’s seed mass and exit velocity.



“We also analyzed pictures during the ripening of the fruits to measure the curvature of the fruit stem and the angle between fruit and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plant-stem-cells-could-support-human-growth/">stem</a>,” Gorges noted.



This revealed that the plant actively remodels its pedicel tissues so that when the moment comes, it fires each capsule along a near-perfect ballistic trajectory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cucumber-seeds-exit-with-precision">Cucumber seeds exit with precision</h2>



High-speed footage further showed that the seeds of the squirting cucumber depart in an orderly orientation, always exiting point-first from the fruit’s basal end. That consistency may reduce drag and help minimize collisions among seeds in the gushing stream.



Once they land, another adaptation takes over: the seed coat produces a mucilaginous hydrogel that becomes glue-like as it dries.



The sticky coating helps seeds adhere to soil particles, reducing the chance they will be washed away. It may also improve local moisture retention - both advantages for germination in the cucumber’s typically arid habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fruit-as-a-pressure-bomb">Fruit as a pressure bomb</h2>



Internal pressure estimates derived from micro-CT density measurements confirm that the fruit behaves like a hydraulic accumulator. 



Water drawn from the parent plant inflates internal cavities while secondary cell-wall thickening stiffens the outer rind.



When tension surpasses tissue strength, the weakest seam near the stalk splits like a pre-scored rupture disk. The accumulated pressure then drives the surrounding gel and embedded cucumber seeds through the opening in a fraction of a second.



<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/SPYZyRGwtYs?si=uzixZgHlPza7IpN6
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The fluid-mechanical secrets of the squirting cucumber (Ecballium Elaterium). Credit: American Physical Society</figcaption></figure>



“It’s super interesting to watch the explosions through high-speed recordings, as the explosions happen way too fast to see anything in real time,” Gorges said.



The 10,000 fps clips compress a chaotic spray into graceful arcs, letting the researchers trace individual seeds out to distances of 12 meters (39 feet) - an impressive range for an object smaller than a rice grain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiration-for-soft-robotics">Inspiration for soft robotics</h2>



Translating nature’s launchers into human technology is a growing pursuit in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-soft-robot-crawls-moves-like-origami-folds/">soft robotics</a> and medical engineering.



In the cucumber, the driving energy is stored in a water-rich gel, a concept that might underpin future hydrogel-based actuators for microsurgery or targeted drug delivery.



“There are also many applications in soft robotics, drug delivery systems, and similar devices, where energy-efficient launching systems are desired,” Gorges explained.



Mimicking the fruit’s composite rind or its self-sealing hydrogel could yield actuators that store elastic or hydraulic energy safely until a precise trigger releases it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-launch-system-perfected">Nature’s launch system perfected</h2>



From stem straightening that fine-tunes launch angle to seed coatings that assist germination, Ecballium elaterium exemplifies how evolution can weave multiple traits into an integrated dispersal weapon.



By combining high-speed imaging with X-ray tomography, the Kiel group has mapped those traits from the cellular to the ecological scale. Their findings illuminate not just an evolutionary curiosity.



The researchers also offer a blueprint that engineers may soon tap to build miniature devices capable of their own rapid-fire feats.



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Scientists learn "squirting cucumbers" can actually aim their shots before exploding, watch how it works

When a ripe fruit of the Mediterranean squirting cucumber (Ecballium...

Wheat is a major part of our diet, especially in the form of bread. But not all wheat is the same - and the way in which it’s grown, processed, and baked affects the nutrients that are present in it.



Until now, the wheat industry has mostly focused on boosting yields, reducing inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, and ensuring good baking quality. 



What often gets overlooked, however, is that wheat can also be a valuable source of nutrients. In fact, it contributes over 20% to the global supply of fiber, minerals, and trace elements, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (<a href="https://www.fao.org/home/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAO</a>).



But getting more nutrition out of wheat isn’t just about planting a different variety. It involves the entire chain - all the way from the field to the oven.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-bread-nutrition-the-basics">Understanding bread nutrition - the basics</h2>



Bread can be surprisingly diverse when it comes to nutrition. A slice of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5310957/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whole grain bread</a>, for instance, can pack a good amount of fiber, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-b-paradox-supplement-linked-to-heart-disease-risk/">B vitamins</a>, iron, magnesium, and complex carbs. These nutrients help regulate blood sugar, support digestion, and provide long-lasting energy. 



On the flip side, white bread - made from refined flour - loses much of that fiber and many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/micronutrient-deficiency-rates-are-soaring-worldwide/">micronutrients</a> during processing. Manufacturers often enrich it to add some of those nutrients back, but it still doesn’t match the nutritional punch of whole grain varieties.



The kind of bread you eat matters, but so does how much. Bread is a carb-heavy food, and while carbs aren't the enemy, overdoing them - especially if the bread is low in fiber - can spike your blood sugar and leave you hungrier sooner. 



If you're aiming for a more nutritious option, look for loaves with at least 3 grams of fiber and minimal added sugar. Bonus points for sprouted grains, seeds, or sourdough, which can improve digestion and nutrient absorption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics-of-wheat-varieties">Characteristics of wheat varieties </h2>



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hohenheim</a> and the University Medical Center at the <a href="https://www.uni-mainz.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Mainz</a> teamed up with four wheat breeding companies to study how wheat’s nutritional value can be improved across the whole value chain.



Over five years, they recorded more than 6,000 traits across 282 wheat varieties and 400 breeding lines.



Dr. Friedrich Longin is director of the Wheat Department at the <a href="https://lsa.uni-hohenheim.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">State Plant Breeding Institute</a> and coordinator of the <a href="https://lsa.uni-hohenheim.de/en/betterwheat_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Betterwheat project</a>.



“The unique thing about the project was the holistic view of variety characteristics along the entire value chain,” explained Dr. Longin.



“In addition to important characteristics for successful cultivation, several dozen processing characteristics for bakeries were considered, as well as important ingredients and proteins that could be important for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/proper-nutrition-in-the-first-1000-days-of-life-is-crucial/">human</a> nutrition.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-wheat-just-has-more-nutrients">Some wheat just has more nutrients</h2>



The wheat varieties were tested in different environments across Europe to measure how both breeding and growing conditions influence the traits of the wheat.



“This allows us to estimate the extent of the influence of breeding, but also that of the growing environment, on these many traits,” noted Dr. Johannes Schacht, senior wheat breeder at <a href="https://www.limagrain.com/en">Limagrain</a> GmbH.



One of the team's main goals was to understand how nutrient levels vary between wheat types. They tested about 800 wheat samples for 13 key minerals and trace elements like iron and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/calcium-zinc-are-keys-to-healthier-pregnancy/">zinc</a> - nutrients that are important for immunity, metabolism, and cell health.



“We were able to determine that the nutrient content in different wheat varieties varies greatly - and can fluctuate by up to 50%,” stated Dr. Longin.



“Our trials also show that the nutrients in wheat can be combined well with the required baking qualities in terms of breeding. These correlated positively with the protein content and dough properties.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-wheat-nutrient-content">Measuring wheat nutrient content</h2>



To apply this research practically, the scientists explored how to quickly measure nutrient content in wheat. 



One method, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, could be a game changer. It scans wheat with X-rays and, based on prior calibrations, provides fast, reliable nutrient readings.



“In order to use this knowledge in practice, xrf fluorescence spectrometry is a method that can be used to measure the nutrient content in wheat quickly and reliably,” explained Dr. Longin.



But using this technology widely would require investment. “This is only possible if the additional work is also paid for,” he added.



And there’s another catch: boosting wheat’s nutrition only makes a difference if people eat more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/refined-grains-increase-the-risk-of-heart-disease/">whole grains</a> or at least <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-with-less-sugar-still-tastes-great-with-a-secret-ingredient/">flours</a> with high type numbers (1050 and up). 



That’s because most nutrients are in the outer layers of the grain, which are lost in refined flours like types 405, 550, and 812.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bakers-make-wheat-digestible">Bakers make wheat digestible</h2>



Even if wheat is nutrient-rich, our bodies might not absorb those nutrients unless the bread is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/freezing-bread-could-make-it-healthier/">baked</a> the right way.



“The healthy ingredients in wheat are bound in phytic acid. However, this acid cannot be digested and is excreted along with the beneficial nutrients,” said Dr. Longin.



So the researchers partnered with artisan bakers to test four common baking methods. One technique stood out: combining a long dough cycle with sourdough. 



“We found that the phytic acid is almost completely broken down during this baking process, making the ingredients available to the body,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-bread-starts-with-better-choices">Better bread starts with better choices</h2>



From field to bakery, everyone involved in wheat production can help improve the nutritional value of bread. But it starts with us.



“All partners in the wheat value chain can influence the nutritional content of bread,” said Dr. Longin. "However, clear priorities must be set: first of all, we consumers should eat more whole grains." 



"This should then be baked with a long leavening process, and only then does breeding and targeted grain trading make sense in order to further optimize the nutrient profile."



Wheat offers more than just <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-almonds-can-help-you-cut-calories/">calories</a>. With the right science, baking methods, and consumer choices, it can play a much bigger role in a healthy diet.



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Study reveals how to make wheat bread even healthier while also improving taste

Wheat is a major part of our diet, especially in...

If you've ever forgotten to water your plants for a couple of days, you probably noticed something interesting. The flowers droop quickly. The grass gets dry. But the trees? They’re fine. 



That’s because not all plants handle water the same way. Some use water freely, while others hold back, adjusting to dry conditions in very different ways.



Yet for years, many climate models haven’t taken those differences into account. They’ve relied on simple assumptions that treat every plant alike. That may soon change, thanks to new research that puts plant behavior into the equation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-model-gets-plant-upgrade">Climate model gets plant upgrade</h2>



Scientists from <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/">UC Santa Barbara</a> and San Diego State University have built a better way to look at how soil dries out after rain. 



Their model shows that plants don’t follow a one-size-fits-all response to water stress. Instead, they behave in complex, adaptive ways - something the researchers say could help sharpen predictions about climate, weather, and water use.



Kelly Caylor, a professor at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science &amp; Management, is the senior author of the study.



“We found that plants don't respond to water stress in a simple, straight-line way,” she said. “Instead, they have dynamic response patterns that reveal whether they're ‘water spenders’ or ‘water savers.’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-rainwater-really-goes">Where rainwater really goes</h2>



After it rains, water goes in a few directions. Some of it runs off into rivers. Some seeps down into the ground. 



The rest goes back up into the air - either by evaporating or by moving through plants, which release water through their leaves in a process called transpiration. Together, these are known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/water-cycle/">evapotranspiration</a>.



How quickly soil dries out affects everything from crop growth to wildfire risk to weather forecasts. But until recently, scientists didn’t have good large-scale data on how this drying process worked. Instead, they built models based mostly on rainfall and streamflow.



“Ironically, most models do not use soil moisture data, although the soil moisture is a central component to hydrological behavior,” said lead author Ryoko Araki, a joint doctoral student at UCSB and SDSU.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-respond-in-unique-ways">Plants respond in unique ways</h2>



Until now, even the more advanced models made a big assumption: that all plants slow down their water use in the same way, at the same rate, under the same conditions.



“All plants - no matter young or old, summer or winter, tree or grass, small or large,” Araki said. But that assumption skips over a critical part of the picture. Different plants behave differently under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-a-secret-weapon-for-surviving-stress/">stress</a>.



By ignoring that, the models miss out on useful clues. So Araki and her colleagues wondered - could a nonlinear model, one that accounts for more complex plant responses, offer better insights?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-smarter-way-to-model-moisture">A smarter way to model moisture</h2>



The team began with a standard, linear model based on time and moisture levels. Then they added a nonlinear factor that could reflect how plants adjust their water use as conditions change.



One thing that set this project apart was the data. The scientists used information from NASA’s SMAP satellite, which tracks <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-moisture-can-predict-severe-storms/">soil moisture</a> across the globe using microwave sensors. That gave them a way to test their model against real-world conditions.



And it worked. The nonlinear model outperformed the two most widely used linear models. The older models tended to overestimate how fast soil dries out. That can lead to bad predictions—especially in regions where water supply is already tight.



Still, not everyone in the field is on board. Some researchers say the added complexity isn’t worth the trouble.



“Even though the nonlinear model is more complicated, it fits the data better, and it captures more of the system’s behaviors,” Araki said. “It provides a way to investigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-adapt-to-survive-a-changing-climate/">plant adaptations</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-plants-work-from-space">Watching plants work, from space</h2>



There’s no easy way to track how individual plants manage water stress. You can’t just walk into a forest and see whether a tree is slowing down its water use or pushing forward through dry soil.



“Do they keep growing as much as they can while they still have some amount of water, or do they just completely stop transpiring to prevent tissue damage?” said co-author Bryn Morgan, a former UCSB doctoral student who is now a postdoctoral fellow at MIT.



That’s why this model matters. It gives scientists a window into plant behavior on a massive scale. It also shows that there’s more going on beneath the surface - literally - than many models have accounted for.



For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardeners-can-make-small-changes-to-benefit-pollinators/">gardeners</a>, farmers, and anyone keeping an eye on climate trends, this kind of research could lead to better tools and smarter predictions. Because as it turns out, understanding how a tree survives a dry spell might help all of us prepare for what’s ahead.



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Not all plants handle water the same - here’s why it matters

If you've ever forgotten to water your plants for a...

Yellow,Baltic,Amber,Stones,Among,The,Sand,And,Seashells,Close

A layer of fossilized resin, known as amber, sits in deep‑sea clay and has puzzled geologists for decades. New fieldwork in northern Japan now shows that a tsunami powerful enough to rip coastal forests from their roots hurled that resin into 11,000‑foot‑deep water during the age of the dinosaurs.



Aya Kubota of the <a href="https://www.gsj.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geological Survey of Japan</a>, and her team, traced the resinous material to a 115‑million‑year‑old horizon in Hokkaido’s Shimonakagawa Quarry, matching it to tsunami‑generated <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013AGUFMNH51D..01N/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turbidites</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-tree-resin-trail">Tracing the tree resin trail</h2>



Tree resin oozes from bark, traps insects, and usually hardens on a forest floor. Geochemical clocks show that transformation from sticky resin to rock takes at least two million years, yet the Shimonakagawa specimens were still pliable when buried.



Modern tests confirm that resin exposed to air stiffens within about a week, while resin that hits <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0707949104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> can stay soft for much longer. 



That simple fact let the team work backward, proving that the resin reached the seabed almost immediately after leaving the trees.



“As resin exposed to the air hardens quickly in weeks, the flame deformation of the resin suggests that it reached <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pelagic.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pelagic seafloors</a> without significant subaerial exposure,” wrote Kubota and colleagues. 



Those flame structures, familiar to sedimentologists who study load deformities, appear in the amber exactly where dense sand slumped beneath lighter resin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-a-tsunami-hypothesis">Testing a tsunami hypothesis</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/90-million-year-old-amber-reveals-antarcticas-secret-past/">Amber</a> occurs in thirty stacked beds within the quarry, some only two inches thick and others nearly nine feet, yet every layer sits above calm‑water clay. 



Storm waves cannot reach such depths, and river floods leave different grain patterns, so the researchers looked to colossal waves.



“Tsunami <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/650-foot-mega-tsunami-sends-seismic-waves-around-world-dickson-fjord-swot-mission/">deposits</a> are rarely recognized in the geological record, except for geologically young Holocene coastal deposits,” the team added. That scarcity makes each confirmed paleotsunami layer a treasure trove for hazard models.



The tallest tsunami measured in modern times reached <a href="https://www.wired.com/2009/07/dayintech-0709" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1,720 ft</a> (524 meters) in Alaska’s Lituya Bay in 1958. Even a smaller wave, crossing the ancient Northwest Pacific, could have torn out whole stands of conifer, rafted them far offshore, and dumped their resin as the water retreated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-locked-in-deep-sea-mud">Clues locked in deep‑sea mud</h2>



Besides <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-wasp-had-a-flytrap-for-snatching-its-victims/">amber</a>, the Japanese cores contain coffee‑table‑sized rip‑up clasts, broken driftwood more than four feet (1.2 meters) long, and tangled mats of leaves. Each item points to sudden, violent transport from land to abyss rather than slow settling.



Mud cracks on some clasts close upward, showing they dried in air before the wave plucked them from coastal flats. 



Microscopic study reveals intact pollen inside the resin, supporting the idea of a rapid ride that spared delicate grains from decay.



Soft‑sediment folds wrap around still‑elastic resin sheets, confirming that the tsunami‑<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mega-tsunamis-triggered-by-earthquakes-could-wipe-part-of-us-off-the-map/">triggered</a> slurry flowed over an already mobile seafloor. 



Those folds help explain why the amber sheets resemble squeezed taffy rather than neat droplets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tsunami-linked-to-massive-landslide">Tsunami linked to massive landslide</h2>



Hokkaido straddles four converging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-only-has-six-continents-not-seven-tectonic-plates-under-iceland-study/">tectonic plates</a> today, and plate reconstructions indicate a similar geometry in the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a>. 



Kubota’s group links the tsunami to a massive landslide that detached a shallow‑marine carbonate platform some 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of the quarry.



Zircon dating of volcanic ash bracketing the amber shows the catastrophe struck between 116.8 million and 114.8 million years ago. 



That window overlaps an interval of heightened plate re‑organization as the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X22000814" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Izanagi‑Kula oceanic plate</a> subducted beneath eastern Asia.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/tsunami_swept_amber_tree-resin_forest-to-seabed_illustration_credit-GSJ_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/tsunami_swept_amber_tree-resin_forest-to-seabed_illustration_credit-GSJ_1s.webp" alt="Reconstruction of Early Cretaceous large-scale tsunamis which reached pelagic deep-sea bottoms from lands. (1) Outbreaks of earthquakes and tsunamis. (2) Destruction of extensive forests and seafloors by tsunamis and (3) Discharge of numerous fresh resin, plant debris and siliciclastic sediments into the ocean. (4) Direct and rapid transportation into deep sea bottoms by tsunami-induced turbidity currents. (5) Wood and resin drift and (6) late settling. (7) Repeated tsunamis during tectonic instability, and (8) its archives in pelagic strata. Credit: Geological Survey of Japan" class="wp-image-1976964"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Reconstruction of Early Cretaceous large-scale tsunamis which reached pelagic deep-sea bottoms from lands. (1) Outbreaks of earthquakes and tsunamis. (2) Destruction of extensive forests and seafloors by tsunamis and (3) Discharge of numerous fresh resin, plant debris and siliciclastic sediments into the ocean. (4) Direct and rapid transportation into deep sea bottoms by tsunami-induced turbidity currents. (5) Wood and resin drift and (6) late settling. (7) Repeated tsunamis during tectonic instability, and (8) its archives in pelagic strata. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Geological Survey of Japan</figcaption></figure>



Comparable offshore evidence exists elsewhere, including sediment cores that record the 365 CE <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09058-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crete megatsunami</a> across the Mediterranean basin. 



Those parallels strengthen the idea that deep‑water archives can outlast coastal erosion and preserve tsunami fingerprints for tens of millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-modern-coasts">Lessons for modern coasts</h2>



Today’s engineers map 500‑year floodplains but rarely factor in events of the magnitude inferred at Shimonakagawa. 



Kubota’s discovery shows that extreme waves can move entire forests and carve fresh sediment routes to the deep ocean.



By recognizing amber as a tsunami <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-detect-a-rare-slow-motion-earthquake-along-japans-tsunami-fault/">tracer</a>, scientists gain a fresh tool for spotting ancient coastal disasters on continental margins worldwide. 



Each new data point refines recurrence estimates and could, eventually, guide zoning in quake‑prone regions.



Forest‑derived carbon delivered to the abyss also hints at hidden climate feedbacks, because buried wood removes atmospheric CO₂ for geologic time. 



Understanding that sink requires knowing how often tsunamis act as high‑speed conveyors from land to sea.



Researchers now plan to scan other Cretaceous drill cores for thin orange films that might mark overlooked tsunami horizons. Success could turn a onetime curiosity into a standard indicator for ancient coastal risk.



Full details of the study are published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-96498-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Massive tsunami swept tree resin and amber from an inland forest out into the seabed

A layer of fossilized resin, known as amber, sits in...

A broad survey of Colorado dispensaries found that nearly half of all cannabis flower products are mislabeled. The THC potency listed on the package often doesn’t match what’s actually inside.



Most of the inaccurate labels overstate the amount of THC - the psychoactive compound in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-extract-cbd-proven-highly-effective-at-killing-mosquitoes/">cannabis</a>. By contrast, testers found that almost all of the concentrates examined - including oils and waxes - were labeled correctly. In fact, 96 percent fell within an acceptable margin of error.



These findings come from the first large-scale audit of potency labels in a legal cannabis market. The researchers provide a rare look at today’s cannabis potency, highlighting where testing is reliable and where it needs improvement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thc-labels-are-often-inaccurate">THC labels are often inaccurate</h2>



Study senior author Cinnamon Bidwell is an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado Boulder</a> and co-director of the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/center/cuchange/">Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment</a> (CU Change).



“Cannabis use has complex and wide-ranging effects, and we are working hard to better understand them,” said Bidwell. “While that research plays out, we should, at the very least, be providing accurate information about the amount of THC in these products.”



The <a href="https://www.instituteofcannabisresearchcolorado.org/">Institute of Cannabis Research</a> - Colorado’s official cannabis research institute - funded the project, which researchers carried out with <a href="https://www.medpharm.com/">MedPharm Research, LLC</a>, a licensed testing lab, manufacturer, and retailer.



“We want to instill and foster trust in products, and the only way to do that is to continually evaluate and correct any issues that might be discovered,” said Duncan Mackie, director of pharmacology at MedPharm and a co-author of the paper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-reveals-true-cannabis-potency">Testing reveals true cannabis potency</h2>



Because federal regulations prohibit university scientists from purchasing or handling commercially available cannabis, the team collaborated with MedPharm to collect samples.



A “secret shopper” visited 52 dispensaries across 19 Colorado counties. They purchased 277 products: 178 flower items - including loose buds and pre-rolled joints - and 99 smokable concentrates, ranging from distilled oils to Moroccan hash and waxy “sugar.” Edibles were not part of this phase of the study.



The shopper photographed each label and anonymized every sample with a number. MedPharm chemists, blind to the labeling information, then tested each product.



Flower samples averaged 21 percent THC; concentrates averaged 71 percent, with some as high as 84 percent. For perspective, marijuana in the 1980s typically contained about 8 percent THC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-thc-labels-fall-short">Where THC labels fall short</h2>



Colorado considers a cannabis label accurate if the product’s THC content is within 15 percent (higher or lower) of the printed value. Among flower products, 44 percent missed that mark. Of those, 54 items overstated THC levels, while 23 contained more THC than advertised.



Though the average discrepancy was modest - about two percentage points - some errors were large. One sample labeled 24 percent THC, for instance, tested at only 16 percent.



Concentrates fared much better: only four samples fell outside the acceptable range. “When it comes to concentrates, Colorado gets a good grade for labeling accuracy, but there are some real issues with flower,” Bidwell said.



Previous work in other states suggests some third-party testing labs inflate potency results, possibly to satisfy businesses seeking stronger-sounding products.



Yet concentrates, which are homogeneous oils, are easier to measure than the heterogeneous structure of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trema-micrantha-brazilian-plant-found-to-contain-cannabis-cbd-compound/%C3%B9">plant</a> material. 



This difference offers another explanation for why flower labels run off-target. Standardizing plant sampling methods could reduce label discrepancies, the authors note.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-labels-miss-key-compounds">Labels miss key compounds</h2>



Colorado requires labels to list <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/">cannabidiol</a> (CBD) content, and 80 to 85 percent of products complied. However, only 16 percent included information on other cannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA).



Interestingly, the tests found greater quantities of CBG and CBGA - compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-relieves-anxiety-without-the-risks-that-come-with-thc/">anti-anxiety</a> effects - than CBD across product types. Yet labels rarely show those figures.



“Focusing on THC on the label can actually do a disservice for consumers, because it creates an environment in which people buy based solely on THC content,” Bidwell said. “Our data suggests that multiple other cannabinoids should also be reported there.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-edibles-will-be-examined-next">Edibles will be examined next</h2>



Backed by additional funding from the Institute of Cannabis Research, the team plans to extend its label audit to include edibles and other product categories.



As more states legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use, accurate labeling will become increasingly important for patient safety, informed recreational use, and public trust.



“We all want the same thing: a strong, successful industry that regulators can feel good about, businesses can thrive in, and customers can trust,” Mackie concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-03854-3">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Cannabis potency: Why you shouldn't trust the label

A broad survey of Colorado dispensaries found that nearly half...

Many people toast the end of the day with a five‑ounce glass of wine, hoping that ritual keeps heart trouble at bay. Two new analyses suggest the habit might offer real - if limited - protection for adults already at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.



The latest evidence comes from a Spanish arm of the long‑running <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28684083/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PREDIMED trial</a>. The study tracked 1,232 older adults following a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean diet</a> and found that those who averaged roughly half to one glass per day had significantly lower heart risks. 



After five years, their risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiac death dropped by nearly half.



Researchers verified intake by measuring wine‑derived tartaric acid in urine instead of relying on memory, a switch that turned vague drink logs into hard numbers. 



The work was led by <a href="https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/professionals/ramon-estruch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Ramon Estruch</a> of the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Barcelona</a> and <a href="https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hospital Clinic Barcelona</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-reveals-true-wine-intake">Chemical reveals true wine intake</h2>



Questionnaires often miss what people actually pour, so scientists struggle to pin down alcohol’s true effects. Using the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/11/1173" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grape‑exclusive metabolite tartaric acid</a> makes it possible to see how much wine someone enjoyed over the previous week without asking them to confess.



“By measuring tartaric acid in the urine, alongside food and drink questionnaires, we have been able to make a more accurate measurement of wine consumption,” said Estruch.



The study linked tartaric acid levels to self-reported wine intake, confirming it as a reliable consumption marker.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wine-s-effects-in-mediterranean-diets">Wine's effects in Mediterranean diets</h2>



Adopting such objective tools may help resolve decades of conflicting findings that swing from “red wine is medicine” to “no amount is safe.”



The investigators also adjusted for smoking, exercise, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/to-get-fit-and-stay-healthy-walk-this-exact-distance-every-day/">lifestyle habits</a>, so the reduced risk cannot be written off as a simple marker of healthier living.



Importantly, tartaric acid only captures wine, not beer or spirits, letting researchers isolate how fermented <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-chemistry-of-wine-what-actually-shapes-its-texture/">grape products</a> behave inside a diet already rich in extra‑virgin olive oil, fish, and vegetables.



That context matters because many of wine’s plant compounds appear to interact with the broader Mediterranean plate, enhancing their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healing-chronic-wounds-with-gold-and-red-wine/">antioxidant reach</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-tied-to-small-servings">Benefits tied to small servings</h2>



Participants who logged between three and thirty‑five five‑ounce glasses a month, roughly half to one serving a day, saw their risk of a major cardiac event fall by 50 percent. Light users who stayed below half a glass a day gained a 38 percent cut.



Once intake climbed above one glass each day, the advantage disappeared and, in some analyses, reversed. 



That pattern mirrors American Heart Association <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guidance</a>, which caps daily wine at one five‑ounce serving for women and two for men.



Men, who made up just under half the study group, appeared to draw a stronger benefit. However, statisticians caution that the sex difference may fade in larger samples.



Even within the favorable range, nurses warned that pouring size matters because many home glasses hold eight or nine ounces, inadvertently nudging people past the safer ceiling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-wine-different">What makes wine different</h2>



Wine carries a mix of polyphenols such as resveratrol, quercetin, and catechins that seem to boost the lining of blood vessels. 



Clinical <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34119624/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reviews</a> report that supplemental resveratrol can improve endothelial function, a key factor in healthy blood pressure and clot prevention.



Red wine has more antioxidants due to skin fermentation, though white wine still provides some. That biochemical cocktail may partly explain why studies often find beer or spirits lack the same signal.



Moderate alcohol itself can raise high-density lipoprotein (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/ldl-and-hdl-cholesterol-and-triglycerides.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HDL</a>), the so‑called “good” cholesterol, yet ethanol also raises triglycerides and blood pressure at larger doses. Polyphenols may tilt the equation back toward benefit, but only within a narrow window.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-too-much-wine-harms-the-heart">Too much wine harms the heart</h2>



A 2023 systematic <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2802963" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> that pooled data from 4.8 million people found no reduction in all‑cause mortality among moderate drinkers once misclassified former drinkers were excluded. 



The authors warned that earlier optimism probably stemmed from comparing social drinkers with people who quit because of illness.



Heavy pouring is indisputably harmful. Even <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/07/31/even-just-1-alcoholic-drink-a-day-may-increase-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one extra daily drink</a> can raise systolic blood pressure by two to four millimeters of mercury, a change large enough to push many people into hypertension. Elevated pressure strains arteries, sets the stage for arrhythmias, and accelerates heart failure.



<a href="https://alcoholresearchforum.org/members/giovanni-de-gaetano/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Giovanni de Gaetano</a> noted that the biomarker approach “provides robust evidence that moderate wine consumption is associated with lower CVD risk. He cautioned that the same data “remind us of the risks associated with higher levels of consumption.”



Alcohol also carries addictive potential, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that roughly <a href="https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2014/p0626-excessive-drinking.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one in ten deaths</a> among working‑age adults is tied to excessive drinking. 



That sobering statistic explains why public health agencies repeat that zero is the only completely risk‑free dose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wine-humans-and-heart-health">Wine, humans, and heart health</h2>



For adults older than about 35 who already follow a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean diet</a>, a small glass of wine with supper may fit comfortably into a heart‑conscious lifestyle.



People who are pregnant, taking interacting medications, or battling addiction should not take the PREDIMED results as a green light.



Nutrients that give wine its appeal, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-wine-consumption-reduces-cardiovascular-risks/">including resveratrol</a>, also reside in grapes, blueberries, nuts, and olive oil. Anyone who chooses to skip alcohol can still obtain similar antioxidant support without ethanol’s downsides.



Clinicians emphasize that no one should start drinking for health reasons. Instead, the sensible takeaway is that very modest wine, enjoyed with meals and within established limits, is unlikely to harm. It might even help certain high‑risk adults when paired with vegetables, fish, and extra‑virgin olive oil.



The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/46/2/161/7920812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Heart Journal</a>.



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How a glass of wine a day affects your heart, according to doctors

Many people toast the end of the day with a...

Insects are being harmed by a fungicide sprayed on fruits and vegetables - even at levels that are considered safe. 



A new study from <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University</a> reveals that the chemical chlorothalonil, which is used globally to prevent fungal disease, is damaging insect fertility and survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-fungicide-on-fruit-flies">Testing the fungicide on fruit flies</h2>



Researchers at Macquarie’s School of Natural Sciences tested the effects of chlorothalonil on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-can-walk-jump-and-dance-using-the-same-motor-neurons/">fruit flies</a>, a common insect model used in labs. Fruit flies are representative of a large number of similar insect species in the wild.



The team used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/for-the-first-time-scientists-have-genetically-engineered-virgin-births/">Drosophila melanogaster</a>, known as the common fruit fly or vinegar fly. Unlike pests that target crops, these flies feed on rotting fruit. They play an important role in breaking down waste and recycling nutrients on farms and in orchards.



“D. melanogaster is also at the bottom of the food chain, becoming food for a whole lot of other species,” said Ph.D. candidate Darshika Dissawa, lead author of the research paper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprising-decline-in-insect-fertility">A surprising decline in insect fertility</h2>



The experiment exposed fruit fly larvae to chlorothalonil at levels that match what’s found on real agricultural produce, such as cranberries and wine grapes. What they found shocked the team.



“Even the very lowest concentration has a huge impact on the reproduction of the flies that we tested,” said Dissawa. “This can have a big knock-on population impact over time because it affects both male and female fertility.”



Flies exposed to the chemical showed a 37% drop in egg production at maturity, compared to those that were not exposed.



“We expected the effect to increase far more gradually with higher amounts. But we found that even a very small amount can have a strong negative effect,” noted Professor Fleur Ponton.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungicide-still-in-use-despite-risks">Fungicide still in use, despite risks</h2>



Chlorothalonil is <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000263_EN.html">banned</a> in the European Union. But in Australia, it’s still sprayed widely to stop fungal diseases like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disease-attacking-blueberry-plants-is-spreading-around-the-world/">mildew</a> and leaf blight.



Residue from this fungicide has been found in soils and water near farms. On food, the levels can range from almost zero to 460 milligrams per kilogram.



“Chlorothalonil is particularly common in orchards and vineyards, and is often used preventatively when no disease is present,” explained Professor Ponton. 



“People assume <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-birds-are-significantly-threatened-by-vineyard-fungicides/">fungicides</a> like chlorothalonil only impact fungal diseases, but they can have devastating, unintended consequences for other species,” she stated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungicide-fuels-insect-decline">Fungicide fuels insect decline </h2>



The study revealed that chlorothalonil exposure during the larval stage caused major reproductive issues in the adult flies.



Female flies were smaller, had fewer egg-producing structures, and laid far fewer eggs. Male flies had lower iron levels, which can interfere with sperm production and other metabolic functions.



The researchers also checked whether the flies were avoiding the contaminated food. They weren’t.



“We didn’t find a significant aversion for food contaminated with chlorothalonil, except when there was a very high concentration of the chemical,” explained Professor Ponton. “This means the impacts are due to chlorothalonil ingestion.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-on-insect-pollinators">Effects on insect pollinators</h2>



In agricultural settings where whole crops are treated with fungicides, insects like flies and bees have no way to avoid the chemicals. This creates a larger problem for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-plant-has-some-unlikely-allies-for-pollination-and-seed-dispersal/">pollination</a>, ecosystem stability, and food production.



“We need <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-bees-value-quality-over-quantity-in-flower-selection/">bees</a> and flies and other beneficial insects for pollination, and we think this is an important problem for pollinator populations,” said Professor Ponton. “There is a strong commercial incentive to understand the impact in the field and address the use of this chemical.”



Despite the widespread use of <a href="https://www.publiceye.ch/en/topics/pesticides/chlorothalonil-a-banned-pesticide-exported-from-europe">chlorothalonil</a>, there's a surprising lack of research into how it affects insects. Fewer than 25 scientific studies have examined this - far too few, considering the global decline in insect numbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-smarter-farming">A call for smarter farming</h2>



The team behind the study says it’s time to rethink how fungicides are used in agriculture. Reducing the frequency of spraying could give insect populations a chance to recover. But that requires more research.



“We need field trials to explore options and develop evidence-based guidelines to consider the knock-on effects of fungicides on beneficial insects,” said Professor Ponton.



Next, the researchers will study whether these reproductive problems are passed on to future generations. 



The team also plans to investigate what happens when insects are exposed to combinations of chemicals - something that’s far more common in real-world farming.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.250136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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How crop protection is fueling the global decline of insects

Insects are being harmed by a fungicide sprayed on fruits...

Some species of fig trees possess an extraordinary ability. They can store calcium carbonate inside their trunks, essentially turning parts of themselves into stone. 



A new study shows that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-tree-deaths-are-increasing-even-in-untouched-forests/">trees</a> absorb carbon dioxide from the air and lock it away as calcium carbonate rocks in the surrounding soil.



This surprising discovery comes from an international team of scientists from Kenya, the U.S., Austria, and Switzerland. The experts presented their research at the <a href="https://conf.goldschmidt.info/goldschmidt/2025/meetingapp.cgi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goldschmidt Conference</a> in Prague.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-fig-trees-store-carbon">How fig trees store carbon</h2>



These fig trees, which naturally grow in Kenya, are among the first known fruit-bearing trees to use a process called the oxalate carbonate pathway. This process plays a unique role in how these trees manage carbon from the atmosphere. 



Like most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-species-face-unprecedented-climate-shifts-across-their-ranges/">trees</a>, they absorb carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis. They then convert this carbon dioxide into organic carbon, which helps the trees grow. 



The carbon becomes part of their physical structures, including their leaves, roots, branches, and trunks. This is a common way in which trees capture and store carbon.



However, the trees have an additional, remarkable ability. Besides storing carbon in their leaves and wood, they also produce special crystals made from a compound called calcium oxalate.



Over time, the calcium oxalate crystals break down and change into calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a mineral found in natural substances like chalk, limestone, and seashells. It has the ability to stay locked in the soil for a much longer time than regular organic carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-carbon-storage">Benefits of carbon storage</h2>



This process provides two major benefits. First, it keeps carbon locked away in a stable, mineral form, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that might return to the atmosphere. 



Second, the formation of calcium carbonate raises the pH of the soil, making it less acidic. This change in the soil’s chemistry improves the availability of certain nutrients, making the surrounding environment healthier for plants and soil organisms.



In simple terms, these fig <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-disrupting-how-amazon-trees-process-sunlight/">trees</a> not only store carbon inside their wood but also help improve the soil while trapping carbon in a long-lasting, stone-like form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fig-trees-lock-carbon-in-their-trunks">Fig trees lock carbon in their trunks</h2>



The study's findings were presented by Dr. Mike Rowley, a senior lecturer at the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>.



“We’ve known about the oxalate carbonate pathway for some time, but its potential for sequestering carbon hasn’t been fully considered," explained Dr. Rowley.



"If we’re planting trees for agroforestry and their ability to store CO2 as organic carbon, while producing food, we could choose trees that provide an additional benefit by sequestering inorganic carbon also, in the form of calcium carbonate."



The researchers studied three types of fig trees in Samburu County, Kenya. They measured how far calcium carbonate forms from the trees and examined the microbial communities involved in this transformation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-inside-tree-wood">Carbon storage inside tree wood</h2>



The team used advanced techniques at the <a href="https://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/ssrl/web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource</a>. They discovered calcium carbonate deposits both on the tree bark and deep inside the wood.



Dr. Rowley noted that the calcium carbonate is formed, the soil around the tree becomes more alkaline. 



"The calcium carbonate is formed both on the surface of the tree and within the wood structures, likely as microorganisms decompose crystals on the surface and also, penetrate deeper into the tree," said Dr. Rowley.



"It shows that inorganic carbon is being sequestered more deeply within the wood than we previously realized."



Among the fig trees studied, Ficus wakefieldii showed the highest ability to store carbon in this way. Next, the researchers plan to test its suitability for agroforestry by measuring its water needs, fruit production, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-trees-glow-more-under-stress-but-photosynthesize-less/">carbon</a> storage under varying conditions.



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



Previous studies on the oxalate carbonate pathway focused mostly on tropical trees that do not bear fruit. The Iroko tree, or Milicia excelsa, was the first identified species with this pathway. It can store up to one ton of calcium carbonate during its life.



Calcium oxalate, which forms these crystals, is common in many plants. Likewise, the microorganisms that convert it to calcium carbonate live in many soils.



“It’s easier to identify calcium carbonate in drier environments. However, even in wetter environments, the carbon can still be sequestered," noted Dr. Rowley.



"So far, numerous species of tree have been identified which can form calcium carbonate. But we believe there are many more." 



"This means that the oxalate-carbonate pathway could be a significant, underexplored opportunity to help mitigate CO2 emissions as we plant trees for forestry or fruit."



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How fig trees turn parts of themselves to stone

Some species of fig trees possess an extraordinary ability. They...

cinco-microhabitos-neurociencia-aprender-mas-rapido-recordar-mej

Varicose veins bulge and twist across the calves of up to 30 percent of adults, a reminder that blood sometimes pools instead of flowing home to the heart. When sluggish blood flow lingers, clots can form and, in rare cases, travel to the lungs or brain.



Centuries ago physicians in China brewed teas from <a href="https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=z990" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ginkgo biloba</a> leaves to sharpen memory. Today researchers wonder whether the same ginkgo leaves might support weary leg veins and cut the risk of small, yet dangerous, blood clots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-circulation-can-falter">Why circulation can falter</h2>



Blood rising from the feet must fight gravity, and faulty valves can leave veins stretched and valves leaky. The lingering pressure distends vein walls, encourages <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/">inflammation</a>, and slows platelet aggregation, the first step toward clotting.



Slow venous return creates the setting for deep‑vein thrombosis as well as the aching, throbbing symptoms many patients feel after a day of standing. 



That overlap has pushed vascular specialists toward plant‑based compounds that might tone the vein wall and limit sticky platelets.



After logging stroke cases at Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing, neurologist <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Xiangqian-Huang-2265510495" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xiangqian Huang</a> of <a href="https://ccmu.cucas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capital Medical University</a> began probing ginkgo’s effects on clot behavior in the brain, work that now informs leg‑vein research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ginkgo-leaves-and-blood-flow">Ginkgo leaves and blood flow</h2>



Ginkgo extract made <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-problems/">blood platelets</a> less sticky when triggered by one type of chemical but didn’t have much effect when triggered by another. 



Dr. Xiangqian Huang and the team also noticed that blood took slightly longer to clot after treatment with the extract.



The leaf contains natural compounds that seem to interact with enzymes responsible for forming clots. 



In a 2025 animal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40462336/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, researchers found that ginkgo reduced damage inside blood vessels in rats with clotting problems and slightly increased the time it took for their blood to clot. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-a-beijing-stroke-ward">Insights from a Beijing stroke ward</h2>



Huang’s real‑world study followed 99 patients for five days. Among stroke survivors who received ginkgo plus baby <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-aspirin-use-strongly-tied-to-colorectal-cancer-prevention/">aspirin</a>, arachidonic‑acid platelet aggregation fell more than in peers on aspirin alone, while major bleeding did not rise.



Minor nose or gum bleeds surfaced in four of thirty‑three combination patients, a signal that enhanced anticoagulation deserves monitoring. No severe hemorrhages occurred, suggesting short‑term safety when doses stay low.



The design also enrolled participants with internal jugular venous stenosis, a group whose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-erythritol-sugar-substitute-linked-to-blood-clots-heart-disease/">clots</a> mirror those in leg veins. 



In that arm ginkgo alone curbed blood platelet stickiness within 24 hours, and the effect held steady through day five.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aspirin-ginkgo-and-blood-clots">Aspirin, ginkgo, and blood clots</h2>



A team of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17982321/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> led by <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/christopher-gardner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher Gardner</a> from <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Department of Medicine</a> examined the potential adverse effects of concomitant aspirin and Ginkgo biloba on blood platelet function after giving the duo to older adults for four weeks. The worry was that the herbs might blunt or boost common drugs. 



Gardner and colleagues detected no dangerous bleeding, yet laboratory tests showed additive platelet inhibition, suggesting that low‑dose pairings could protect high‑risk patients who cannot tolerate stronger pharmaceuticals. 



Doctors, however, should adjust regimens around surgeries or when other blood thinners enter the mix.



Because the leaf targets arachidonic‑acid pathways that aspirin already touches, the partnership makes pharmacologic sense. 



Still, anyone taking nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs should discuss timing and dosage to avoid stacking identical mechanisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-legs-feel-lighter">Helping legs feel lighter</h2>



Deep veins are not the only place where endothelial cells detach under strain. 



In a classic double‑blind trial, scientists found that a capsule combining ginkgo, troxerutin, and heptaminol cut circulating endothelial cell counts by 14.5 percent in patients with chronic varicose veins, placebo achieved only 8.4 percent.



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26848/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Endothelial cells</a> are early barometers of vein injury, so their decline hints at real structural healing. 



Participants also reported reduced ankle swelling and night cramps, benefits echoed by later Russian and Italian studies that tracked leg circumference.



Modern <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/phl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phlebology</a> still relies on compression stockings and laser ablation, yet many sufferers ask for gentler first steps. 



A standardized ginkgo formula, already licensed for vascular disorders in parts of Europe, may slot neatly between lifestyle changes and invasive procedures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-clot-prevention-with-ginkgo">Blood clot prevention with ginkgo</h2>



Yang’s rat data showed lighter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cause-of-strokes-cervical-artery-dissection-has-increased-400-percent-since-2005/">clots</a>, higher nitric‑oxide levels, and longer clotting times after gavage with 60 milligrams per kilogram of extract. 



Nitric oxide relaxes vessel walls and counters platelet stickiness, aligning with human data from stroke and vein clinics.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26030402/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Network‑pharmacology</a> maps place AKT1, ALB, and TNF at the center of ginkgo’s target web. Those same genes regulate inflammation, suggesting that the tree’s reach extends beyond platelets to the very lining of our veins.



Because oxidative stress weakens venous valves, the antioxidant side of the extract warrants equal attention. 



Flavonols scavenge free radicals, potentially slowing the progressive dilation that makes early spider veins blossom into rope‑like cords.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talking-with-your-doctor">Talking with your doctor</h2>



Ginkgo supplements crowd store shelves, yet extracts used in clinical trials are highly standardized. Look for<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12757407/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> EGb 761</a> or products specifying at least 24 percent flavonol glycosides and 6 percent terpene lactones.



Patients on warfarin, <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.017559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">direct oral anticoagulants</a>, or upcoming dental work should alert their clinicians before starting any form of ginkgo. 



Health professionals may stagger doses, check clotting labs, or advise pausing the herb to keep bleeding risk low.



For those with aching calves and a family history of clots, discussing ginkgo as an adjunct to compression or low‑intensity exercise could make sense. 



Evidence remains preliminary, yet the plant’s dual action on platelets and vein walls is steadily moving from bench to bedside.



Future multicenter trials ought to track long‑term safety and measure quality‑of‑life changes such as heaviness, itch, and nightly restlessness. If findings stay positive, an ancient tree might soon earn a modern role in vascular medicine.



The study is published in <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11803947/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thrombosis Journal</a>.



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Leaves from this popular tree may improve circulation and prevent blood clots

Varicose veins bulge and twist across the calves of up...

Forests have always been symbols of resilience and endurance. Towering trees stand tall for centuries, forming ecosystems that nurture countless species. They inspire awe, acting as natural archives of Earth’s long history. Yet, today’s rapidly shifting climate is testing this strength like never before.



Scientists now warn that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traditional-forest-farming-is-an-overlooked-climate-solution/">forests</a> might struggle to keep pace with the speed of current climate change. This concern isn’t new, but recent research puts into perspective just how slow forest responses can be.



Long before industrial activities fueled modern warming, forests adapted gradually to changes. Over thousands of years, tree populations shifted according to cooling and warming periods. 



During glacial advances, they migrated southward, following milder climates. When the Earth warmed again, they moved north. This dance of migration was a slow process, unfolding over centuries.



But today, the world faces climate shifts at an alarming rate. Forests are locked in place, unable to shift swiftly enough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-struggle-with-climate-change">Forests struggle with climate change</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creating-forests-cant-realistically-cancel-out-fossil-fuel-emissions/">Trees</a> cannot migrate quickly. They grow slowly, and their seeds disperse over limited distances, despite help from wind and animals. Mature trees may live for hundreds of years, meaning populations shift at a glacial pace.



Current climate change, driven by human activities, is happening faster than many forests can adapt. This creates a worrying gap between the pace of warming and the ability of forests to respond.



A recent study published in the journal Science has brought this issue into sharper focus. Led by David Fastovich, a postdoctoral researcher at <a href="https://www.syracuse.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Syracuse University</a>, the study provides concrete evidence of how slowly forests react to climate changes.



Fastovich works in the Paleoclimate Dynamics Lab under Tripti Bhattacharya, the Thonis Family Professor of Paleoclimate Dynamics. Their team examined pollen records from lake sediments, revealing tree population shifts over hundreds of thousands of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-adjusting-to-climate-shifts">Forests adjusting to climate shifts</h2>



The study focused on mapping the time required for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-forests-helps-birds-and-humans-in-many-ways/">forests</a> to adjust to climate shifts. Some of the sediment cores analyzed date back up to 600,000 years, capturing long-term changes in forest composition.



“We’ve known these time lags have existed, but no one could put a firm number on them,” said Fastovich. 



“We can intuit how long a tree lives. We can count the rings on a tree and estimate from there. But now we know that after one to two centuries, very close to how long a tree lives on average, entire forest ecosystems begin to turnover as trees die and are replaced in response to climate.”



The results emphasize the deep disconnect between the rapid pace of modern climate change and the natural rhythms of forest migration and replacement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-forest-patterns">Revealing forest patterns</h2>



To study these long-term changes, the researchers turned to spectral analysis. This statistical method is common in physics and engineering. It allowed the team to compare the relationship between tree populations and climate shifts across varying time scales, from decades to millennia.



The analysis focused on three key aspects: migration patterns, tree mortality, and disturbances like forest fires. By observing these factors together, the team uncovered how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-carbon-credits-are-failing-so-what-needs-to-change/">forests</a> change over both short and long timescales.



Spectral analysis provided a way to create a unified view of forest dynamics. This approach helped bridge the gap between different disciplines that study forests.



“This gives us a common language for people who observe forest change, ecologists, paleoecologists and paleobiologists, to talk to one another about those changes no matter if we study forests on annual or millennial timescales,” said Fastovich.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-shift-but-bigger-changes-emerge">Forests shift but bigger changes emerge</h2>



The research showed that, over the span of a few years or decades, forests change slowly. Small adjustments occur gradually, often unnoticed in the short term. However, significant changes begin to emerge over longer periods.



After about eight centuries, the study found that forest shifts tend to grow more dramatic. These larger changes often align with natural fluctuations in the planet’s climate.



“With this new technique, we can think about ecological processes on any timescale and how they are connected,” said Fastovich. “We can understand how dispersal and population changes interact and cause a forest to change from decades to centuries, and even longer timescales. That hasn’t been done before.”



This insight shows that while forests may appear stable, they are slowly shifting in response to deeper climate rhythms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-for-human-help">Urgent need for human help</h2>



One of the study’s most important findings points to the need for human intervention. Forests are unlikely to adjust fast enough on their own to survive the rapid pace of modern warming.



One promising approach is assisted migration. This method involves deliberately planting tree species from warmer climates into cooler regions. The goal is to help forests adapt by jumpstarting their natural migration processes.



Fastovich emphasized that this kind of intervention is far from simple. Forest adaptation is a slow, complicated process that demands careful, long-term planning.



“There’s a mismatch between the timescales at which forests naturally change to what’s happening today with climate change,” said Fastovich. 



“Population-level changes aren’t going to be fast enough to keep the forests that we care about around. Assisted migration is one tool of many to keep cherished forests around for longer.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reminder-of-the-challenges-ahead">Reminder of the challenges ahead</h2>



The research serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. Forests are not static. They are ancient, slow-moving communities shaped by time and climate. While their changes might seem imperceptible over a human lifespan, they remain in constant motion.



Now, humanity must make tough choices. Without careful action, many forests may not survive the speed of climate change. 



The tools we choose, whether assisted migration, conservation efforts, or other interventions, will shape the forests of the future. Their survival depends not only on nature’s resilience but also on human responsibility.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr6700" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Forests are lagging centuries behind in climate adaptation

Forests have always been symbols of resilience and endurance. Towering...

<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=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<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=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



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



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



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



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



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



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



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



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



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



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



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



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



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



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



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



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



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



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



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



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



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



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



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



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



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



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



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



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



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



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



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



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



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



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



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



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



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



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



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



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



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



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



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



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<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/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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



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.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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