Earth
- Health & Medicine
Lead’s legacy
High levels of lead in the blood during childhood are associated with smaller brains and with an increased risk for violent criminal behavior, report two new studies.
- Ecosystems
That sinking feeling
The sea level rise expected in the coming century will swamp the Everglades unless current management is adjusted or climate change is curbed.
By Sid Perkins -
- Health & Medicine
Insects (the original white meat)
Dining on insects, usually more by choice than necessity, occurs in at least 100 countries — and may be better than chicken for both people and the environment.
By Janet Raloff - Animals
Pandamonium over a Tiny Pest
A parasite threatens efforts to protect China's endangered icon.
By Janet Raloff - Climate
Ocean reflux
Upwelling off Californian coast offers taste of predicted ocean acidification.
By Susan Milius - Earth
Asbestos-like nanotubes
Some carbon nanotubes show signs of asbestos-like toxicity.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Nonstick toxicity
By mimicking the action of estrogen, a widely used nonstick chemical promotes cancer development in animals.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Help the Climate: Empty the Fridge
Yesterday, I reported that in hopes of slowing down global warming, some nations were interested in strengthening the Montreal Protocol – a United Nations treaty to curb releases of chemicals that endanger stratospheric ozone. But I didn’t really get into what they had up their sleeves. It turns out they want signatory nations to eliminate […]
By Janet Raloff - Climate
When Is a Consensus on Climate Not a Consensus?
A protein chemist reported he had assembled a list of more than 30,000 scientists who challenge the idea that human releases of greenhouse gases are warming Earth's climate.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Freon’s Cool Link to Climate
Quick: What’s the name of the big UN global climate treaty? If you said the Kyoto Protocol – you’d be wrong. Because it’s a trick question. Although the Kyoto Protocol is indeed the treaty developed to address the issue of arresting global warming and the climate perturbations that will be spawned by such a growing […]
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Eddies in the deep Earth
The flow of molten material in our planet's outer core is the prime source of Earth's magnetic field. Localized blips in the magnetic field suggest this flow can fluctuate rapidly over large areas.
By Sid Perkins