Earth

Earth

The browning of Europe

The lengthy heat wave and drought that struck Europe in the summer of 2003 stifled the growth of vegetation and thereby reduced the amount of carbon dioxide that the continent's plants extracted from the atmosphere.

Earth

Invisible Rivers

The fresh water that seeps from continents into coastal waters via submarine springs is a phenomenon that many scientists are just beginning to appreciate, model, and accurately measure.

Earth

Fertility and Pollution: Dirty air, ozone linked to sperm troubles

Men develop lower sperm counts and produce more sperm with fragmented DNA when the air has higher levels of ozone and other pollutants.

Earth

Save the frogs

Researchers have drafted a proposed $400 million research-and-rescue plan for the world's amphibians, at least half of which are in decline or even facing serious risk of extinction.

Agriculture

Wheat Warning—New Rust Could Spread Like Wildfire

A new, yield-slashing wheat blight has emerged in East Africa and could spread far beyond that part of the world.

Earth

Pack Rat Piles: Rodent rubbish provides ice age thermometer

Analyses of fossilized plant remnants collected by pack rats reveal that the Grand Canyon was much cooler than previously thought during the latter part of the last ice age.

Earth

Organic Choice: Pesticides vanish from body after change in diet

Children can eliminate their bodies' loads of agricultural pesticides by eating organically grown products.

Earth

Dim View: Darkening skies a regional phenomenon

The decline in the solar radiation reaching Earth's surface in the latter half of the 20th century turns out to have been mostly a regional phenomenon.

Earth

Steep Degrade Ahead: Road salt threatens waters in Northeast

Using road salt to clear icy highways in the northeastern United States is increasingly tainting streams throughout the region.

Earth

Liquid-detergent packets threaten children’s eyes

Sealed bags containing liquid detergent for single loads of laundry may be convenient, but if squeezed, they're liable to burst and spray their caustic contents into people's eyes.

Earth

Sow what? Climate reviews help farmers choose

African subsistence farmers are far likelier to leverage rainfall forecasts into better crop yields after attending workshops explaining the basis for the rain predictions.

Agriculture

Using Light to Sense Plants’ Health and Diversity

Laser scanners may help farmers better tailor when and how much to fertilize their crops, with side benefits for the environment.