Earth

Agriculture

Insecticide Inside: Gene-modified rice cuts chemical spraying in China

In the hands of Chinese farmers, varieties of rice genetically modified to fend off insects reduce pesticide use and increase crop yields.

Earth

Oysters under siege: Heat and pollution

With global warming, some polluted waters could become graveyards for certain shellfish.

Earth

Coming Storms: Method predicts intensity of U.S. hurricane seasons

A new computer model that analyzes summer-wind patterns can help predict whether the United States will suffer a damaging hurricane season.

Earth

Balloons, condoms release likely carcinogens

Balloons and condoms that come in contact with body fluids discharge chemicals suspected of being human carcinogens.

Earth

Rice with a Human Touch: Engineered grain uses gene from people to protect against herbicides

A human gene inserted into rice enables that plant to break down an array of chemicals used to kill weeds.

Earth

Blowflies shed mercury at maturity

Blowflies that absorb mercury from fish carcasses they feed on as larvae rid themselves of much of that toxic metal when they become adults.

Earth

Lightning creates radiation-safe zone

A relatively safe region within the seas of radiation that surround Earth owes its existence to lightning storms.

Earth

Breeding Parasites Along with Fish: Do sea lice from salmon farms spread far?

Marine parasites known as sea lice spread readily from farmed salmon to passing wild fish, according to a controversial study conducted in British Columbia.

Earth

Hit Again: December temblor probably caused new Sumatran quakes

Seismic activity that rattled the Indonesian region early this week, including a quake that measured a whopping magnitude 8.7, was triggered by December's massive tsunami-spawning earthquake, scientists suggest.

Earth

Volume of glaciers and ice caps is estimated

New topographic data have enabled scientists to estimate the volume of water trapped in the ice caps and glaciers outside of Antarctica and Greenland and to predict how high the sea level would rise if this ice melted.

Earth

An Ounce of Pollution: Particles’ harm varies by person, region, season

A gram of small, air-polluting particles has deadlier effects in certain seasons and regions of the country than in others, and particulate pollutants may disrupt heart function most in people who already have cardiovascular problems.

Earth

Paint additive hammers coral

A pesticidal additive in the paint applied to ship hulls may be contributing to the worldwide decline of corals.