Earth

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Earth

    Arctic ozone loss in 2011 unprecedented

    Report describes a ‘hole’ comparable to conditions observed over Antarctica during the mid-1980s.

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  2. Earth

    Earth/Environment

    Diamonds from the depths have shallow elements, New Zealand earthquake helped triggered its successor and more in this week’s news.

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  3. Earth

    Pole flips tied to plate tectonics

    A lopsided arrangement of continents could lead to reversals in Earth's magnetic field.

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  4. Humans

    BPA: What to make of pollutant-laced kids’ foods

    The San Francisco-based Breast Cancer Fund has just released some provocative data on the presence of bisphenol A — a hormone-mimicking pollutant — in every brand-name canned food it tested.

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  5. Earth

    Pacific volcanoes share split personality

    The dual chemistry of island chains reflects variations in the distribution of ancient material bubbling up from deep within the Earth.

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  6. Earth

    Earth & Environment

    Toxic consequences of solar power, enduring effects of ancient landslides and more in this week's news.

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  7. Earth

    Summer Arctic melt among worst ever

    With no obvious weather pattern to explain this year’s near-record annual ice retreat, generally warming climate appears to be the culprit.

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  8. Oceans

    Synthetic lint ends up in oceans

    Microplastics from clothes and other consumer products evade sewage treatment and end up on beaches, studies find.

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  9. Earth

    Nature’s crystal palace

    Slow-growing crystals formed over thousands of years in Mexico cave.

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  10. Earth

    Earth/Environment

    Sweet pollution, toxic fumes from dry-cleaned clothes and more in this week’s news.

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  11. Chemistry

    HIPPO reveals climate surprises

    A major pollution-mapping program that ends September 9 has turned up startling trends in climate-warming gases and soot.

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  12. Earth

    Earthly riches heaven sent

    A period of heavy meteorite bombardment after Earth's formation may have peppered Earth's outer layers with useful metals.

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