Earth

Earth

Big Thaw Coming: Climate change may slam Arctic

If the changes in climate predicted for this century come to pass, the people and creatures of the Arctic will face some of the largest challenges.

Earth

Global Vineyard

Recognizing that continued climate change may leave some renowned grape-growing regions too hot or too dry to support vineyards, growers may turn to new technology and techniques to produce consistently better fruit.

Earth

A Portrait of Pollution: Nation’s fresh water gets a checkup

Virtually all of America's fresh water is tainted with low concentrations of chemical contaminants, according to a new nationwide study.

Earth

Filtered air cuts down mutations

Microscopic particles in the air may mutate the DNA of sperm.

Agriculture

Rethinking Refuges? Drifting pollen may bring earlier pest resistance to bioengineered crops

Pollen wafting from bioengineered corn to traditional varieties may be undermining the fight to keep pests from evolving resistance to pesticides.

Earth

Underwater Pavement: Asphalt deposits cover parts of Gulf of Mexico

Explorations of the seafloor in the southern Gulf of Mexico have revealed lavalike flows of asphalt that are home to a thriving ecosystem of microbes, mussels, tubeworms, and crabs.

Earth

Marsh Farming for Profit and the Common Good

A move is now afoot to get farmers to embrace wetlands as part of their business.

Earth

Boats puff up outdoor carbon monoxide risk

Large congregations of motorboats can produce enough carbon monoxide gas in open air to be hazardous to people.

Earth

Tracks of dust devils spotted from space

Scientists scanning satellite images of the southern Sahara have detected trails left on the landscape by the whirlwinds commonly known as dust devils.

Earth

It’s a Gas: Trees emit unknown volatile substances

The chemical reactions taking place just above a northern Michigan forest hint that trees there and elsewhere may be emitting highly reactive gaseous substances that scientists haven't yet identified or directly detected.

Earth

Harm from Plastic Additive Challenged: Early exposure shows no ill effects

Presumed exposure shortly after birth to a chemical ingredient in plastics shows no evidence of disrupting development in people, according to a small study of teens who, as newborns, received intensive medical care involving plastic hospital equipment.

Earth

Hurricanes churn up life-nurturing brews

Images of the North Atlantic taken from orbit suggest that hurricanes churn the ocean's surface enough to bring cool, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, thereby stimulating algal blooms that can last for weeks.