Earth

  1. Microbes

    50 years ago, scientists suspected microbes flourished in clouds

    In 1970, scientists presented early evidence that microbes in clouds may be alive and kicking.

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  2. Earth

    STEVE may be even less like typical auroras than scientists thought

    The purple-and-green, atmospheric light show nicknamed STEVE just got even stranger.

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  3. Climate

    Once hurricanes make landfall, they’re lingering longer and staying stronger

    Warmer ocean waters due to human-caused climate change can help power hurricanes’ fury even after they roar ashore.

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  4. Earth

    With Theta, 2020 sets the record for most named Atlantic storms

    Climate change is expected to fuel fewer — yet more intense — Atlantic storms. With a whopping 29 storms but few strong ones, 2020 may be an outlier.

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  5. Animals

    How frigid lizards falling from trees revealed the reptiles’ growing cold tolerance

    Some Florida lizards’ ability to handle temperatures down to 5.5° C may provide clues to how they might deal with the extremes of climate change.

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  6. Oceans

    Even the deepest, coldest parts of the ocean are getting warmer

    Deep-sea temperatures seem to be rising, but it’s too soon to say whether that’s a result of climate change caused by humans, researchers say.

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  7. Environment

    How planting 70 million eelgrass seeds led to an ecosystem’s rapid recovery

    The study is a blueprint for restoration efforts that capitalize on seagrass habitats’ capacity to store carbon and that can be replicated elsewhere.

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  8. Earth

    50 years ago, scientists were looking for ways to predict earthquakes

    Though earthquake prediction remains elusive, early warning systems can help keep people safe.

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  9. Oceans

    Large-scale changes in Earth’s climate may originate in the Pacific

    A new study suggests that the melting of Alaska’s glaciers into the North Pacific could have far-ranging effects on ocean circulation and the climate.

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  10. Climate

    By 2100, Greenland will be losing ice at its fastest rate in 12,000 years

    The rate of loss of Greenland’s ice will soar over the next century even with greatly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

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  11. Environment

    Invasive jumping worms damage U.S. soil and threaten forests

    Also known as snake worms, these writhing wrigglers turn forest leaf litter into bare ground, changing soil composition and ecosystems as they go.

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  12. Climate

    Global warming may lead to practically irreversible Antarctic melting

    Simulations suggest that even if the Paris climate goals are met, melting Antarctica ice will still cause sea levels to rise by more than 2 meters.

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