Earth

  1. Environment

    BP oil spill may have killed hundreds of thousands of birds

    The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have killed 600,000 to 800,000 coastal birds, new simulations suggest.

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  2. Climate

    Crop nutrients may drop as carbon dioxide rises

    Many staple grains and legumes pack 5 to 10 percent less iron, zinc and protein when grown at carbon dioxide levels expected midcentury.

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  3. Climate

    Federal report details climate change in U.S.

    The latest National Climate Assessment was released by federal officials May 6.

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  4. Cosmology

    Feedback

    Readers weigh in on the Hubble constant, temperature extremes and heart screenings for student-athletes.

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  5. Animals

    Some birds adapt to Chernobyl’s radiation

    Some birds seem to fare well in and near the Chernobyl exclusion zone, but overall the nuclear disaster has been bad news for the region’s bird populations.

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  6. Environment

    Prestige oil spill linked to drop in seabird chicks

    European shag in colonies affected by the 2002 Prestige oil tanker spill produced fewer chicks than birds in oil-free colonies.

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  7. Climate

    Glacial microbes gobble methane

    While some bacteria produce methane in Greenland’s melting ice sheet, others may consume the greenhouse gas as it escapes.

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  8. Animals

    Secrets of a sailfish attack

    The large, long-nosed sailfish use their rostrums more like a sword than a spear to attack prey.

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  9. Environment

    Lead levels in ancient Rome’s water were high, but not toxic

    Ancient Romans probably drank tap water with up to 100 times more lead than the levels found in local spring water.

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  10. Earth

    Surge seen in number of U.S. wildfires

    The number and size of wildfires in the western United States has steadily risen over the last three decades.

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  11. Climate

    Feedback

    Readers discuss the influence of clouds on climate, how to treat addiction and which human-made hazards are the biggest bird-killers.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Triclosan aids nasal invasions by staph

    The antimicrobial compound triclosan, commonly found in soaps and toothpaste, may help Staphylococcus aureus stick around.

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