Earth

  1. Oceans

    Robotic subs reveal thicker Antarctic sea ice

    New measurements by robotic subs suggest that scientists have underestimated Antarctic sea ice thickness.

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  2. Earth

    ‘Mass Extinction’ vivifies the science of die-offs

    The dinosaurs were killed off some 65 million years ago after a colossal asteroid struck Earth. But what many people probably don’t know is how paleontologists came to that conclusion. "Mass Extinction: Life at the Brink" tells that story.

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  3. Animals

    Scientists’ tags on fish may be leading seals to lunch

    In an experiment, 10 young grey seals learned to associate the sound of a pinging tag with fish. The tags may make fish vulnerable to predators, scientists say.

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  4. Life

    Tasty animals end up on latest list of threatened species

    Growing food market lands several species, including Pacific bluefin tuna and Chinese pufferfish, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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  5. Environment

    DDT lingers in Michigan town

    Decades after a plant manufacturing DDT shut down in Michigan, the harmful insecticide is still found in neighboring birds and eggs.

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  6. Environment

    Colorado deluge produced flood of drug-resistance genes

    Flooding in Colorado’s South Platte River Basin washed antibiotics and drug-resistance genes into pristine waterways.

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  7. Environment

    Spiders enlisted as pollution sensors for rivers

    Hunting arachnids provide a better picture of chemical threats to food web.

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  8. Climate

    Lightning strikes will surge with climate change

    Climate warming could boost lightning strikes in the United States by roughly 50 percent over the next century.

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  9. Environment

    Thirdhand smoke poses lingering danger

    Harmful cigarette chemicals that linger on surfaces, known as thirdhand smoke, can go on to pollute the air and may harm people’s health.

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  10. Earth

    More multi-tornado days in the forecast for U.S.

    The number of days per year with tornadoes has gone down over the last few decades in the U.S., but the number of days that see 30 or more twisters is going up.

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  11. Climate

    Melting ice forces walrus detour

    Warming temperatures and shrinking summer ice cover have forced the animals to seek solid ground during feeding season.

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  12. Microbes

    Feedback

    Readers shares stories about bacteria, discuss ancient volcanic eruptions and express a fondness for science-inspired art.

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