Earth
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Animals
This tool-wielding assassin turns its prey’s defenses into a trap
This assassin bug's ability to use a tool — bees’ resin — could shed light on how the ability evolved in other animals.
- Environment
Skyborne specks of life may influence rainfall patterns
A study of weather on a mountain in Greece reveal that bioparticles in the sky may drive fluctuations in rainfall patterns more broadly.
- Oceans
Before altering the air, microbes oxygenated large swaths of the sea
Hundreds of millions of years before oxygen surged in the atmosphere 2.4 billion years ago, swaths of oxygen winked in and out of existence in the ocean.
- Climate
Losing a key U.S. climate report would hurt future disaster prep
A scientist who worked on the National Climate Assessment explains how stopping work on it may make us more vulnerable to extreme weather disasters.
- Animals
Cool water could protect sea stars from a mysterious disease
Sunflower sea stars discovered taking refuge in fjords may offer clues to saving the critically endangered species from sea star wasting disease.
- Animals
The axolotl is endangered in the wild. A discovery offers hope
Introducing captive-bred axolotls to restored and artificial wetlands may be a promising option for the popular pet amphibian.
- Physics
Here’s how we might generate electricity from rain
Water drops produce electricity when dripped through a small tube. That power might be harnessed as renewable energy in rainy places.
- Oceans
How will the LA fires affect the ocean? These researchers are racing to find out
Scientists aboard a research vessel near Los Angeles collected ash, air and water samples as fire blazed on the hills before them in January.
- Earth
The United States’ oldest known rock has existed for at least 3.6 billion years
More than just a cool bit of trivia, the finding raises questions about our understanding of Earth’s history.
- Climate
Wetland bacteria could make more methane in a warming world
Warming temperatures can ramp up the activity of methane-producing bacteria in wetland soils, adding to methane emissions.
- Climate
Earth’s landmasses lost trillions of tons of water this century
Rising global temperatures are driving the sharp decline in terrestrial water storage. This trend isn’t likely to change, scientists say.
- Climate
Hidden Antarctic lakes could supercharge sea level rise
An overlooked Antarctic water system could raise sea levels by more than 2 meters by 2300, computer simulations show.
