Earth
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Animals
Epidemic of skin lesions reported in reef fish
A British-Australian research team has just found coral trout living on the south side of the Great Barrier Reef sporting dark skin raised, scablike, brown-black growths. Although the authors believe they’ve stumbled onto an epidemic of melanoma — a type of skin cancer — other experts have their doubts. Strong ones.
- Earth
Stronger storms may destroy ozone
Extra water vapor churned high into the atmosphere by climate change–fueled tempests could trigger destructive chemical reactions.
- Earth
External ills imperil tropical reserves
Impacts just outside park boundaries cause ecosystems within to decline.
- Earth
Night lights may foster depression
In animals, chronic dim light triggers brain changes that disappear with the return of nightlong darkness.
- Life
Polar bears’ ancient roots pushed way back
Full genetic blueprints suggest the animals split from brown bears millions of years ago.
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- Earth
Field test stashes climate-warming carbon in deep ocean
Strategically dumping the metal stimulates a bloom of microscopic creatures that carry the greenhouse gas to Davy Jones’s locker.
- Tech
FDA bans BPA in baby bottles, cups
From now on, U.S. manufacturers may no longer produce polycarbonate baby bottles and sippy cups (for toddlers) if the clear plastic had been manufactured from bisphenol A, a hormone-mimicking compound. Long-awaited, the announcement is anything but a bold gesture. The Obama administration decided to lock this barn door after the cow had died.
- Humans
Putting BPA-based dental fillings in perspective
A new study finds that children who have their cavities filled with a white composite resin known as bis-GMA appear to develop small but quantifiable drops in psychosocial function. To put it simply: Treated kids can become more moody, aggressive and generally less well adjusted.
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- Earth
Warming indicted for extreme weather
Climate change can explain some 2011 departures from the norm.
- Humans
Lead poisoning stymies condor recovery
California’s iconic comeback species may need human help as long as even a small percentage of the carcasses they eat contain lead shot.
