Earth

Animals

‘The Curious Life of Krill’ is an ode to an underappreciated crustacean

A new book makes the case that Antarctic krill and the dangers they face deserve your attention.

Earth

Pumping water underground for power may have triggered South Korean quake

A 2017 South Korean earthquake may have been caused by human activities, two new studies suggest.

Environment

This plastic can be recycled over and over and over again

A new kind of polymer is fully recyclable: It breaks down into the exact same molecules that it came from.

Climate

Heat waves are roasting reefs, but some corals may be resilient

The latest research on coral reefs clarifies the devastation of heat waves and looks at how coral might be able to adapt to warming waters.

Climate

Rising CO₂ levels might not be as good for plants as we thought

A 20-year experiment spots a reversal in the way two kinds of plants take up extra carbon from the atmosphere.

Microbes

This plastic-gobbling enzyme just got an upgrade

Scientists tweaked a bacterial enzyme and made it more efficient in breaking down plastics found in polyester and plastic bottles.

Oceans

Masses of shrimp and krill may play a huge role in mixing oceans

Hoards of migrating shrimp and krill can cause large-scale turbulence in the ocean, a new study suggests.

Climate

Cargo ships must cut their emissions in half by 2050

A new international agreement places a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from international cargo ships.

Genetics

Sweet potatoes might have arrived in Polynesia long before humans

Genetic analysis suggests that sweet potatoes were present in Polynesia over 100,000 years ago, and didn’t need help crossing the Pacific.

Oceans

Ocean heat waves are becoming more common and lasting longer

Over the last 100 years, the world’s oceans have sweltered through a rising number of heat waves.

Environment

Microplastics may enter freshwater and soil via compost

Compost is pinpointed as a source of plastic pollution, but environmental fate and effects unknown.

Paleontology

This ancient lizard may have watched the world through four eyes

A lizard that lived 50 million years ago had both a third and a fourth eye.