Earth

  1. Earth

    Dead Waters

    Coastal dead zones—underwater regions where oxygen concentrations are too low for fish to survive—are mushrooming globally, threatening to transform entire ecosystems.

    By
  2. 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.

    By
  3. 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.

    By
  4. 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.

    By
  5. Earth

    Filtered air cuts down mutations

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

    By
  6. 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.

    By
  7. 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.

    By
  8. 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.

    By
  9. 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.

    By
  10. 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.

    By
  11. 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.

    By
  12. 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.

    By