Earth
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Humans
Predatory pythons shift Everglades ecology
As invasive snakes expand territory, some mammal populations drop by more than 90 percent within a decade.
By Janet Raloff -
Earth
‘Nonstick’ pollutants may cut efficiency of vaccines in kids
Antibodies from immunizations are halved among children with the highest exposure levels to common chemicals.
By Janet Raloff -
Climate
Amazon may become greenhouse gas emitter
South America’s massive rain forest may soon release more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs.
By Devin Powell -
Life
Boxwood blight invades North America
The devastating fungus has already stripped shrubbery down to sticks in Europe and New Zealand.
By Susan Milius -
Earth
Carbonation brings diamonds to surface
Chemical reactions deep inside the Earth fuel magma’s gem-laden upward journey.
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Life
Rising carbon dioxide confuses brain signaling in fish
Nerve cells respond to acidifying waters.
By Janet Raloff -
Climate
Soil’s Hidden Secrets
Shocking discoveries from the underground may shake up climate science.
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Earth
Small efforts to reduce methane, soot could have big effect
Simple measures could slow global warming and reduce premature deaths.
By Devin Powell -
Humans
Bush meat can be a viral feast
Monkeys and apes are considered edible game in many parts of Africa. As Africans have emigrated to other parts of the world, some have retained their love of this so-called bushmeat. A new study now finds that even when smoked, meat from nonhuman primates — from chimps to monkeys — can host potentially dangerous viruses. Smuggled imports confiscated at U.S. airports provided the samples tested in this investigation.
By Janet Raloff -
Life
Crabs hither, shrimp thither
Biologists document surprising differences among deep-sea animals at hydrothermal vent fields.