Earth
- Life
Primitive fish could nod but not shake its head
Ancient fossils reveal surprises about early vertebrate necks, abdominal muscles.
- Climate
Southwest’s monsoon season may heat up with the climate
Warmer temperatures may bring stronger rainy seasons over the long term, study finds.
- Life
Invasive frogs may spread deadly amphibian fungus
African clawed frogs imported for 20th century pregnancy tests apparently communicate B. dendrobatidis to native species.
- Oceans
Glacier melt causes large fraction of sea level rise
From 2003 to 2009, thawing ice nearly as large a contributor to oceans as massive sheets at poles, researchers find in new analysis.
- Earth
Groundwater isolated for eons
At least 1.5 billion years after it last saw the surface, flowing liquid may host life.
- Climate
Warming may not release Arctic carbon
Element could stay locked in soil, 20-year study suggests.
- Climate
Carbon dioxide in atmosphere reaches landmark level
At 400 parts per million, greenhouse gas concentration is now higher than it has been for millions of years.
- Earth
Japan’s 2011 earthquake upped Tokyo’s risk
Chance more than doubled that capital city will soon experience big temblor, researchers calculate.
- Earth
The Arctic was once warmer, covered by trees
Pliocene epoch featured greenhouse gas levels similar to today's but with higher average temperatures.
- Climate
Ice loss from Greenland’s glaciers may level off
Simulation suggests long-term effect on sea level not as dire as some predictions.
- Earth
Toxic waste sites may cause health problems for millions
Exposures to lead and chromium represent particular problems, study finds in India, Indonesia and Philippines.
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