Earth
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Earth
Most oil enters sea from nonaccidents
Nearly all of the oil entering the marine environment traces not to accidents but to natural seeps and human activities where releases are intentional.
By Janet Raloff -
Earth
Wretched weather sealed explorer’s fate
Unusually low temperatures hindered Robert Falcon Scott's polar expedition in 1912.
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Earth
Taking a mountain’s measure
A survey of Mount Everest alters its official elevation to 29,035 feet.
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Earth
Mapping the Frozen Sky: Study looks at clouds from both sides now
By combining simultaneous observations from satellites and ground-based instruments, scientists can generate a three-dimensional map of the size and distribution of ice particles in a cirrus cloud.
By Sid Perkins -
Earth
Smoggy Asian air enters United States
High concentrations of ozone from Asia reach the United States.
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Earth
The Air That’s Up There
Researchers are exploring how trees affect the chemistry of the atmosphere.
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Earth
Shelter from Space Storms: Energy rebounds from Earth
NASA satellite observations show that Earth's outer atmosphere interacts dramatically with the solar wind and shields the planet from it.
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Earth
Honey may pose hidden toxic risk
Many honeys may contain potentially toxic traces of potent liver-damaging compounds produced naturally by a broad range of flowering plants.
By Janet Raloff -
Earth
September’s Science: Shutdown of airlines aided contrail studies
The shutdown of commerical aviation within the United States for 3 days after Sept. 11, 2001, provided scientists with a unique opportunity to study the influence of high-flying jet aircraft on Earth's climate.
By Sid Perkins -
Earth
Tornado Alley, USA
A new model that simulates 30,000 years worth of tornadoes in the United States finds that the place not to be if you fear funnel clouds is southeastern Oklahoma, where any particular spot can expect to get damaged once every 4,000 years.
By Sid Perkins -
Earth
Breath-Taking Popcorn
To most people, the scent of hot buttered popcorn brings to mind excursions to the local movie theater for big-screen viewings or recalls quiet winter respites before a crackling fire. To those who toil in the plants that package microwave popcorn, the same smell can not only be overpowering but also signal lung dangers, according […]
By Janet Raloff