Earth

  1. Humans

    Study recalibrates trees’ carbon uptake

    Photosynthesis appears to be somewhat speedier than conventional wisdom had suggested, a new study finds. If true, this suggests computer projections are at risk of overestimating the potential for trees to sop up carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.

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  2. Humans

    Arctic ozone: ‘Hole’ or just not whole?

    This past spring, the Arctic stratosphere’s ozone layer suffered unprecedented depletion. But whether the record loss constituted a “hole” depends on which experts you consult.

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  3. Earth

    Arctic ozone loss in 2011 unprecedented

    Report describes a ‘hole’ comparable to conditions observed over Antarctica during the mid-1980s.

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  4. Earth

    Earth/Environment

    Diamonds from the depths have shallow elements, New Zealand earthquake helped triggered its successor and more in this week’s news.

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  5. Earth

    Pole flips tied to plate tectonics

    A lopsided arrangement of continents could lead to reversals in Earth's magnetic field.

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  6. Humans

    BPA: What to make of pollutant-laced kids’ foods

    The San Francisco-based Breast Cancer Fund has just released some provocative data on the presence of bisphenol A — a hormone-mimicking pollutant — in every brand-name canned food it tested.

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  7. Earth

    Pacific volcanoes share split personality

    The dual chemistry of island chains reflects variations in the distribution of ancient material bubbling up from deep within the Earth.

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  8. Earth

    Earth & Environment

    Toxic consequences of solar power, enduring effects of ancient landslides and more in this week's news.

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  9. Earth

    Summer Arctic melt among worst ever

    With no obvious weather pattern to explain this year’s near-record annual ice retreat, generally warming climate appears to be the culprit.

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  10. Oceans

    Synthetic lint ends up in oceans

    Microplastics from clothes and other consumer products evade sewage treatment and end up on beaches, studies find.

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  11. Earth

    Nature’s crystal palace

    Slow-growing crystals formed over thousands of years in Mexico cave.

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  12. Earth

    Earth/Environment

    Sweet pollution, toxic fumes from dry-cleaned clothes and more in this week’s news.

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