Earth

Planetary Science

Readers contemplate water on Mars and more

Readers had questions about the significance of finding water on mars, air pollution from wildfires and spray-on sensors.

Agriculture

Can science build a better burger?

Researchers hope to replace whole animal agriculture and feed the world with lab-made meats or plants.

Ecosystems

Confused mayflies wreak havoc on a Pennsylvania bridge

Cleaning a river in central Pennsylvania brought back mayflies, which now pose a threat to motorists crossing a bridge.

Climate

Here’s how climate change is fueling Hurricane Florence

Scientists take a stab at predicting climate change’s influence on Hurricane Florence.

Earth

A new map reveals the causes of forest loss worldwide

A new study shows where global forest loss is due to permanent deforestation versus short-term shifts in land use.

Earth

Sea level rise doesn’t necessarily spell doom for coastal wetlands

Wetlands can survive and even thrive despite rising sea levels — if humans give them room to grow.

Climate

Wildfires make their own weather, and that matters for fire management

Mathematical equations describing interactions between wildfires and the air around them help explain their power and destruction.

Oceans

A massive net is being deployed to pick up plastic in the Pacific

As the Ocean Cleanup project embarks, critics remain unconvinced that scooping up debris is the best way to solve the ocean’s plastic problem.

Agriculture

How plant microbes could feed the world and save endangered species

Scientists have only scratched the surface of the plant microbiome, but they already believe it might increase crop yield and save species from extinction.

Astronomy

Readers’ interest piqued by Parker Solar Probe, general relativity and more

Readers had questions about NASA's Parker Solar Probe, Einstein's general relativity theory and underwater cables used as earthquake sensors.

Animals

A gentoo penguin’s dinner knows how to fight back

Cameras attached to gentoo penguins off the Falkland Islands revealed that, despite the birds’ small size, their lobster krill prey can sometimes win in a fight.

Materials Science

A new material harnesses light to deice surfaces

A new sun-powered material could someday melt the ice off airplane wings, wind turbines and rooftops.