Earth

Climate

Here’s how much climate change increases the odds of brutally hot summers

Climate change made 2023’s record-breaking heat waves in the United States, Mexico, China and southern Europe much more likely, new simulations show.

Earth

‘The Next Supercontinent’ predicts a future collision of North America and Asia

In his new book, Ross Mitchell traces the dance of the continents through time to predict what Amasia, the next supercontinent, might look like.

Climate

What’s causing this summer’s extreme heat waves?

Climate change and meandering jet streams are fomenting this summer’s extreme waves of heat.

Animals

In a ‘perfect comeback,’ some birds use antibird spikes to build their nests

The spikes were meant to keep birds away. But five corvid nests in Europe use the bird-deterrents as structural support and to ward off predators.

Climate

Last week was the hottest ever recorded — here’s why we keep smashing records

Global temperature records are being shattered as El Niño and climate change combine to push the Earth into uncharted territory, researchers say.

Earth

How Kenya is helping its neighbors develop geothermal energy

Renewable energy is crucial to halting climate change. In East Africa, the region’s geology makes geothermal energy a viable option.

Earth

Wildfires aren’t going away. Here’s how smoke can affect your health

How does repeat exposure to wildfire smoke affect our health? Three experts weigh in on the massive air pollution fueled by Canada’s ongoing fires.

Climate

Canada’s Crawford Lake could mark the beginning of the Anthropocene

The mud of a Canadian lake holds an extremely precise record of humans’ influence on Earth. But the Anthropocene isn’t an official geologic epoch yet.

Materials Science

This ‘thermal cloak’ keeps spaces from getting either too hot or cold

A new thermal fabric prototype could help keep cars, buildings and other spaces a comfortable temperature during heat waves while reducing CO₂ emissions.

Ecosystems

This seagrass is taking over the Chesapeake Bay. That’s good and bad news

Higher water temperatures are wiping out eelgrass in the Chesapeake Bay and weedy widgeongrass is expanding. Here’s why that seagrass change matters.

Paleontology

This ancient, Lovecraftian apex predator chased and pierced soft prey

Half a billion years ago, Anomalocaris canadensis probably used its bizarre headgear to reach out and snag soft prey with its spiky clutches.

Chemistry

Tear-resistant rubbery materials could pave the way for tougher tires

Adding easy-to-break molecular connectors surprisingly makes materials harder to tear and could one day reduce microplastic pollution from car tires.