Earth

  1. Earth

    Natural heat

    Heat from the decay of radioactive elements deep within the planet could meet Earth’s energy needs almost three times over — if we could harness all of it.

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  2. Earth

    Virtual seismometer

    A new supercomputer simulation of the large quake that struck central China earlier this month could help researchers estimate the size of the ground motions experienced in areas that didn’t have seismic instruments.

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  3. Earth

    Death downwind

    Pollutants generated by human activity in Europe significantly boost ozone concentrations downwind, harming people’s health and causing thousands of premature deaths in North Africa, the Near East and the Middle East.

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  4. Climate

    Already feeling the heat

    Long-delayed U.S. government summary of climate change science sees effects on energy, transportation, farming, and water.

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  5. Agriculture

    Vertical Agriculture

    Instead of farming in the country, one Columbia University scientist would do it in the city, spanning floor upon floor of buildings--from basements to the tops of high rise structures.

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  6. Earth

    Political Science

    New York's mayor argues that science should not only inform action, but also prod it.

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  7. Earth

    Life down deep

    Deep-sea sediments provide a habitat for diverse and abundant populations of microorganisms and may be home to as much as 70 percent of the bacteria on the planet, new studies suggest.

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  8. 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.

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  9. 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.

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  10. Earth

    Audubon’s insect cafeteria

    Sidebar: Insects.

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  11. 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.

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  12. Animals

    Pandamonium over a Tiny Pest

    A parasite threatens efforts to protect China's endangered icon.

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