Earth

Earth

It’s a Gas: Trees emit unknown volatile substances

The chemical reactions taking place just above a northern Michigan forest hint that trees there and elsewhere may be emitting highly reactive gaseous substances that scientists haven't yet identified or directly detected.

Earth

Harm from Plastic Additive Challenged: Early exposure shows no ill effects

Presumed exposure shortly after birth to a chemical ingredient in plastics shows no evidence of disrupting development in people, according to a small study of teens who, as newborns, received intensive medical care involving plastic hospital equipment.

Earth

Hurricanes churn up life-nurturing brews

Images of the North Atlantic taken from orbit suggest that hurricanes churn the ocean's surface enough to bring cool, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, thereby stimulating algal blooms that can last for weeks.

Earth

Prenatal exposures affect sperm later

Boys exposed in the womb to hormone-mimicking pollutants may mature into men who produce impaired sperm.

Earth

Toxic color TVs and computer monitors

High concentrations of lead can leach from the X-ray-filtering glass used in picture tubes, suggesting that this glass should be treated as hazardous waste.

Earth

Chicken Farming, Ammonia, and Coastal Threats

Chicken farming can contribute significant amounts of ammonia to the environment, including coastal waters.

Earth

Lava Life: Hints of microbes in ancient ocean rocks

Microscopic, carbon-lined tubes in lava that erupted onto the ocean floor about 3.5 billion years ago were etched by microbes, a number of signs suggest.

Earth

Sea Change: Ocean report urges new policies

To combat environmental degradation and encourage sustainable use of resources off the nation's shores, the U.S. government needs to double its investment in marine research, integrate management of coastal and inland ecosystems, restructure agencies that influence the oceans' health and productivity, and take other far-reaching steps, according to a commission created by Congress.

Earth

A slump or a slide? Density decides

Using a full-scale simulator, researchers showed that just a small difference in soil density determines whether a landslide becomes a fast-moving killer or merely one that slowly slumps downhill.

Earth

Weather Wise: Model may predict El Niño up to 2 years in advance

A new version of a climate-prediction model that includes detailed interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere could be used to foresee the onset of the climate-altering phenomenon known as El Niño.

Earth

Inhaling your food—and its cooking fuel

Cooking emits easily inhaled pollutants that travel throughout a home and can linger for hours.

Earth

Tales of the Undammed

Although destroying dams is often presumed to restore rivers, the results of such action are actually mixed, according to recent studies.