Feature
- Earth
2009 Science News of the Year: Environment
Recent monitoring (from a gondola in Washington state, shown) reveals that rates of tree death are up. Credit: Univ. of Washington Routine tree deaths doubled Small background rates of everyday tree death have doubled in old-growth, western forests since 1955, possibly because of climate change, researchers report (SN: 2/14/09, p. 8). In 76 plots with […]
- Tech
2009 Science News of the Year: Technology
A polymer doped with a color-changing molecule turns red seconds before snapping. Credit: D. Stevenson, A. Jerez, A. Hamilton, D. Davis About to breakEngineers one day may not need to guess when a bridge is near its breaking point. New materials that flush red in response to damage may provide a visual warning sign of […]
- Humans
2009 Science News of the Year: Science & Society
Activists plead for a new agreement during the 2007 U.N. Climate Change Conference. Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images Leaders warm to climate action Throughout the year, global leaders used various summits around the world to declare their intention to take firm, though often unilateral, action to reduce their nations’ carbon footprints. In December, negotiators from more […]
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Trawling the brain
New findings raise questions about reliability of fMRI as gauge of neural activity.
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Humans wonder, anybody home?
Brain structure and circuitry offer clues to consciousness in nonmammals.
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A black future
Without destroying the Earth, the Large Hadron Collider might help humans explore the cosmos.
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Breaking the Speed Limit
Studies examine physiology and technology to better foresee the ultimate edge of human performance.
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Botanical Whales
Adventures in the Tortugas reveal that seagrass fields need saving too.
- Climate
Climate might be right for a deal
The upcoming Copenhagen negotiations will take steps toward an international, climate-stabilizing treaty.
- Physics
Invisibility Uncloaked
In the race to make things disappear, scientists gain ground on science fiction.
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Aping the Stone Age
Chimp chasers join artifact extractors to probe the roots of stone tools.
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As the worms churn
Burrowing animals mix soil and sediments, shaping the environment and scientists’ understanding of it.
