Earth

Climate

Hurricane’s tiny earthquakes could help forecasters

Hurricane Sandy set off small earthquakes under its eye as it moved up the U.S. East Coast in 2012. The tiny tremors could help researchers track the behavior of future storms, researchers propose.

Climate

Katrina’s legacy: Refining hurricane forecasting

Ten years following Hurricane Katrina’s formation, the storm’s devastating legacy in New Orleans and beyond continues to drive storm forecast improvements.

Earth

Millions of dollars’ worth of gold and silver found beneath volcanoes

A jackpot of dissolved gold and silver discovered in reservoirs of hot water beneath New Zealand’s Taupo Volcanic Zone.

Climate

Carbon cuts could save U.S. farmers billions of dollars

Reducing carbon emissions could save U.S. agriculture industry billions of dollars annually by curtailing droughts.

Microbes

Bacteria in flowers may boost honeybees’ healthy gut microbes

Honeybees may deliver doses of probiotics to the hive to help feed baby bees’ microbiome.

Earth

Nepal quake’s biggest shakes relatively spread out

The seismic rumblings of the April 25 Nepal earthquake were mostly in low frequencies that are more likely to collapse large structures, new research suggests.

Oceans

Ocean current simulations could narrow Flight 370 search

Aircraft debris found on Réunion Island in the western Indian Ocean could originate from the northern half of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370’s search area, ocean simulations show.

Environment

Dust components may promote obesity

Fat dust bunnies may contain obesity-boosting chemicals.

Climate

Iceless Arctic summers now expected by 2050s

The Arctic Ocean will have its first ice-free summer in the 2050s, nine years earlier than previously forecast, according to improved simulations.

Climate

Desert dig uncovers caches of missing CO₂

Irrigation water may wash significant amounts of carbon into groundwater systems beneath Earth’s deserts, researchers propose.

Neuroscience

Global warming unpaused, how space affects the brain and more reader feedback

A reader shares a story about Stephen Jay Gould, while others discuss how to protect the brain from radiation in space and whether 2014 was the hottest year on record.

Ecosystems

Encased algae create kaleidoscope of color

The skeletons of diatoms, algae that produce oxygen but also form toxic blooms, can create beautiful microscopic designs.