Earth

  1. Oceans

    Swirls of plankton decorate the Arabian Sea

    The dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans is taking over in the Arabian Sea, posing a potential threat to its ecosystem.

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  2. Climate

    Earlier blooming intensifies spring heat waves in Europe

    The early arrival of spring plants due to climate change amplifies springtime heat waves in Europe, new climate simulations suggest.

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  3. Climate

    Hurricane frequency dropped during 17th century ‘Little Ice Age’

    Atlantic hurricane activity fell around 75 percent when the sun dimmed from 1645 to 1715, a new analysis of shipwrecks and tree rings suggests.

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  4. Animals

    Parasites help brine shrimp survive toxic waters

    When brine shrimp are infected with tapeworms, the tiny aquatic organisms survive better in warm waters and in those laced with toxic arsenic.

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  5. Oceans

    Magnetism from underwater power cables doesn’t deter sea life

    High-voltage power cables that ferry electricity across the seafloor do not negatively impact local fish and crabs, new studies show.

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  6. Environment

    Low levels of radiation from Fukushima persist in seafood

    Aquatic species in Japan contain low levels of radioactive cesium, but some freshwater species risk high contamination.

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  7. Oceans

    Protected coral reefs may not be the ones that need protection

    A new study finds that more than half of the world’s coral reefs site within a half-hour of a human settlement. But those that are protected tend to be far away.

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  8. Oceans

    3.5 billion years ago, oceans were cool, not hot

    Extensive new evidence from South Africa suggests that 3.5 billion years ago, Earth was locked in a cold spell, with isolated blasts of hydrothermal heat that may have helped incubate life.

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  9. Environment

    California gas leak spewed massive amounts of methane

    New estimates suggest that a 2015 natural gas well blowout injected tons of greenhouse gases into the Los Angeles atmosphere.

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  10. Earth

    Readers respond to blue tarantulas, multiparticles and white outs

    Readers respond to the January 9, 2016 issue of Science News with thoughts on blue tarantulas, multiparticles, and avalanches.

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  11. Oceans

    Great Barrier Reef acidification predictions get worse

    New simulations suggest that ocean acidification poses an even greater threat to the Great Barrier Reef than suspected.

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  12. Oceans

    Corals need to take their vitamin C

    Newly settled corals use vitamin C to help build their stony skeletons, researchers propose.

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