Earth

  1. Animals

    Epidemic of skin lesions reported in reef fish

    A British-Australian research team has just found coral trout living on the south side of the Great Barrier Reef sporting dark skin raised, scablike, brown-black growths. Although the authors believe they’ve stumbled onto an epidemic of melanoma — a type of skin cancer — other experts have their doubts. Strong ones.

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  2. Earth

    Stronger storms may destroy ozone

    Extra water vapor churned high into the atmosphere by climate change–fueled tempests could trigger destructive chemical reactions.

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  3. Earth

    External ills imperil tropical reserves

    Impacts just outside park boundaries cause ecosystems within to decline.

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  4. Earth

    Night lights may foster depression

    In animals, chronic dim light triggers brain changes that disappear with the return of nightlong darkness.

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  5. Life

    Polar bears’ ancient roots pushed way back

    Full genetic blueprints suggest the animals split from brown bears millions of years ago.

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  6. Earth

    Earth scientists think it’s time to sync their geological clocks

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  7. Earth

    Field test stashes climate-warming carbon in deep ocean

    Strategically dumping the metal stimulates a bloom of microscopic creatures that carry the greenhouse gas to Davy Jones’s locker.

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  8. Tech

    FDA bans BPA in baby bottles, cups

    From now on, U.S. manufacturers may no longer produce polycarbonate baby bottles and sippy cups (for toddlers) if the clear plastic had been manufactured from bisphenol A, a hormone-mimicking compound. Long-awaited, the announcement is anything but a bold gesture. The Obama administration decided to lock this barn door after the cow had died.

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  9. Humans

    Putting BPA-based dental fillings in perspective

    A new study finds that children who have their cavities filled with a white composite resin known as bis-GMA appear to develop small but quantifiable drops in psychosocial function. To put it simply: Treated kids can become more moody, aggressive and generally less well adjusted.

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  10. Earth

    Calm, with an eye on the storm

    Tim Samaras hunts twisters despite the danger.

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  11. Earth

    Warming indicted for extreme weather

    Climate change can explain some 2011 departures from the norm.

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  12. Humans

    Lead poisoning stymies condor recovery

    California’s iconic comeback species may need human help as long as even a small percentage of the carcasses they eat contain lead shot.

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