Earth

Earth

Changes in the Air

Changes in the atmospheric concentration of oxygen through geologic time, some gradual and some drastic, have strongly shaped evolution among many types of creatures.

Earth

Is Teddy a pollution magnet?

Stuffed toys can accumulate high concentrations of potentially toxic air pollutants.

Earth

Elevated pesticide threatens amphibians

The survival of certain mountain-dwelling amphibians may be threatened by toxic pesticides that are blown uphill from distant agricultural lands in California's Central Valley.

Agriculture

Organic Doesn’t Mean Free of Pesticides

Even organic produce, especially root crops, can carry trace residues of long-banned pesticides.

Earth

Nonstick Taints: Fluorochemicals are in us all

A new federal study strongly suggests that all U.S. residents harbor measurable traces of fluorochemicals, compounds found in a host of consumer products.

Earth

Roots of Climate: Plants’ water transport cools Amazon basin

Field tests in the Amazon have for the first time measured daily and seasonal movements of soil moisture through the deep roots of trees.

Earth

Antibiotics afield

Antibiotics shed by livestock in manure can end up in crops or bound to soil, where they can foster disease-resistant germs.

Earth

Global Wetting and Drying: Regions face opposing prospects for water supply

In the next half century, rivers and streams in some parts of the world will diminish in flow, while waterways elsewhere rise in output, according to a new analysis of climate simulations.

Earth

Sex and the sewage

Chemicals in sewage sludge appear to have stunted the testes and fostered other reproductive-system changes in fetal lambs.

Earth

Runaway Heat?

A variety of changes in the Arctic is making the region darker and accelerating its warming climate.

Earth

Volcanic Suppression: Major eruptions can reduce sea level

Although scientists have known for years that major volcanic eruptions can temporarily cool Earth's climate, a team now suggests that such outbursts can temporarily cause sea level to drop for a while as well.

Earth

Breaking Waves: Mangroves shielded parts of coast from tsunami

Along a strip of India's southeastern coastline, trees protected certain villages from last December's tsunami, while waves wiped out neighboring settlements that weren't sheltered by vegetation.