Thomas Sumner

All Stories by Thomas Sumner

  1. Computing

    Year in review: AlphaGo scores a win for artificial intelligence

    AlphaGo’s triumph over its human opponent provides a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence.

  2. Planetary Science

    First signs of boron on Mars hint at past groundwater, habitability

    The Curiosity rover has found the first signs of boron on Mars, which could hint at past habitable groundwater.

  3. Planetary Science

    First signs of boron on Mars hint at past groundwater, habitability

    The Curiosity rover has found the first signs of boron on Mars, which could hint at past habitable groundwater.

  4. Earth

    Fossil microbes show how some life bounced back after dino-killing impact

    Pioneering microbes colonized the waters above the Chicxulub crater within hundreds of years following the impact, new research shows.

  5. Climate

    Glacier melting’s link to climate change confirmed

    The decades-long melting of glaciers is categorical evidence of climate change, a new study affirms.

  6. Earth

    Third kind of quasicrystal found in Russian meteorite

    A new quasicrystal found inside a Russian meteorite is the first ever found in nature before being synthesized in the lab.

  7. Climate

    Solar panels are poised to be truly green

    Solar panels are about to break even on their energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

  8. Earth

    Wastewater cap could dunk Oklahoma quake risk

    Regulation limiting the injection of wastewater into underground wells could return Oklahoma’s earthquake risk to historical background levels within a few years.

  9. Earth

    How a ring of mountains forms inside a crater

    Rocks drilled from the Chicxulub crater linked to the demise of the dinosaurs reveal how mountainous peak rings form within large impact craters.

  10. Climate

    There’s something cool about Arctic bird poop

    Ammonia from seabird poop helps brighten clouds in the Arctic, slightly cooling the region’s climate.

  11. Climate

    CO2 emissions stay steady for third consecutive year

    Global emissions of carbon dioxide from human activities will probably see almost no increase in 2016 despite economic growth.

  12. Climate

    Say hola to La Niña

    La Niña, El Niño’s meteorological sister, has officially taken over and could alter weather patterns throughout the world this winter.