Earth
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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EarthClimate’s Long-Lost Twin
New geological evidence suggests that humans have started exploiting fossil fuels and altering Earth's atmosphere at precisely the moment when greenhouse gases could do the most damage to climate.
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EarthDDT treatment turns male fish into mothers
Injecting into fish eggs an estrogen-mimicking form of the pesticide DDT transforms genetically male medaka fish into apparent females able to lay eggs that produce young.
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EarthJust how much do U.S. roads matter?
A Harvard researcher calculates that roads directly influence the ecology of a fifth of U.S. land area.
By Susan Milius -
EarthLiquid Assets
Research provides guidance on how best to bank water during times of plenty for use during subsequent droughts
By Janet Raloff -
EarthMajor mood swing alters Pacific character
The temperature of the North Pacific Ocean has apparently veered from one extreme to the other—a change that could alter North American weather for the next decade or two.
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EarthBackyard burning is recipe for dioxin
A few rural households burning trash may generate more toxic dioxins than a major, properly operated municipal incinerator.
By Janet Raloff -
EarthAs globe warms, atmosphere keeps its cool
Scientists confirm a confusing discrepancy between temperatures at Earth's surface and in its atmosphere.
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EarthThe Importance of Being Electric
By coordinating measurements from telescopes, planes, balloons, and a battery of instruments, terrestrial and space scientists have now placed themselves on almost intimate terms with sprites—luminous shapes that fleetingly appear high above lightning storms.
By Oliver Baker -
EarthAlgae Turn Fish into a Lethal Lunch
Scientists demonstrated that some marine mammals have died from eating fish tainted with a neurotoxic diatom.
By Janet Raloff -
EarthSmoggy Asian air enters United States
High concentrations of ozone from Asia reach the United States.
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EarthTaking a mountain’s measure
A survey of Mount Everest alters its official elevation to 29,035 feet.