Earth
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Ecosystems
Tracing Tahitian vanilla
The discovery of Tahitian vanilla’s heritage could set off a custody battle between nations.
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Agriculture
Dirt Is Not Soil
Probing the distinction in what you call the stuff that mud is made of.
By Janet Raloff -
Climate
Hydrogen economy sustainable in 15 years
Hydrogen fuel cells can eventually replace the combustion engine, but meanwhile a wider range of technologies will be needed to reduce carbon emissions.
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Oceans
Death by magma
Widespread extinctions in the world’s oceans millions of years ago may have been triggered by massive underwater volcanic eruptions that created much of the Caribbean seafloor.
By Sid Perkins -
Chemistry
The Goop in Our Air
Emerging data indicate that tiny and toxic particles polluting urban air chemically morph from hour by hour, depending on what other pollutants these particles encounter during journeys that can run hundreds of miles.
By Janet Raloff -
Climate
Another climate ailment
Global warming may turn out to be more than just a pain in the neck: Rising average temperatures could trigger an increased prevalence of kidney stones.
By Sid Perkins -
Chemistry
CO2: Only One Flavor
Federal climate policymakers should have a grounding in basic chemistry.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & Medicine
One Downside to Sushi
Uncooked fish can host detectable concentrations of potentially toxic chemicals — pollutants that cooking can make disappear,
By Janet Raloff -
Humans
Toxic yes: Toxins? No
Yet another news story baits us with the promise of reading about noxious toxins – and doesn't deliver.
By Janet Raloff -
Animals
Not-OK Coral
First big species audit finds coral extinction risks severely under-reported
By Susan Milius