Earth

  1. Climate

    Ice rafts traveling farther and faster across the Arctic Ocean

    Climate change may be causing Arctic sea ice to travel farther and faster than it did 15 years ago, taking pollutants and other material along for the ride.

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  2. Physics

    Uncovering the science of sand dune ‘booms’

    Mechanical engineer and geophysicist Nathalie Vriend explores noises in the desert that are triggered by sand sliding down dunes.

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  3. Animals

    Algal toxin impairs sea lion memory

    California sea lions that have brain damage linked to domoic acid poisoning have impaired spatial memory, a new study finds.

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  4. Climate

    Year in review: Global warming continues apace

    New climate research showed that the much-discussed warming hiatus never happened, carbon dioxide levels are higher than ever and Earth is heading toward a new normal.

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  5. Earth

    Year in review: Pacific Plate slides over slick layer

    Some explosive science offered a glimpse into how tectonic plates slide around Earth’s surface.

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  6. Environment

    Year in review: BPA alternatives aren’t benign

    Evidence is accumulating that at least one popular alternative to bisphenol A can enter the body and trigger developmental and physiological changes.

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  7. Climate

    195 nations approve historic climate accord

    The Paris climate talks end with delegates from 195 nations releasing a hard-fought agreement to curb climate change and limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius.

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  8. Earth

    Gooey rock in mantle thickens 1,000 kilometers down

    Gravitational tugs provide an unprecedented peek into the structure of Earth’s mantle and reveal a sudden increase in viscosity roughly 1,000 kilometers below ground.

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  9. Climate

    Global carbon emissions fell in 2015, despite economic growth

    Society’s carbon footprint fell slightly in 2015, largely due to decrease coal consumption in China, researchers report.

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  10. Paleontology

    New dating of dino ancestor challenges Triassic timeline

    New dates for geologic layers of well-known fossil formation show that dinosaurs and their ancient relatives were separated by less time than researchers thought.

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  11. Climate

    Warming culprit CO2 has a cool side — and it’s in Antarctica

    Rising CO2 levels above central Antarctica cause cooling, not warming, new research suggests. The odd effect results from surface temperatures that are colder than the overlying stratosphere.

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  12. Earth

    Humankind’s water use greater than thought

    Humans’ global water footprint increases when accounting for water losses from water management practices.

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