Environment

Oceans

Rising temperatures complicate efforts to manage cod fishery

Higher water temperatures in the Gulf of Maine could play a role in Atlantic cod crashes.

Environment

Air pollutants enter body through skin

Although scientists have largely viewed skin as an unimportant portal to blood for toxic air pollutants, new human data show that skin can surpass lungs as a route of entry.

Earth

Surface spills near fracking sites implicated in water contamination

Chemical spills from fracking operations are the likely source of chemicals found in drinking water wells in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Environment

Home fires, farm fumes are leading causes of air-pollution deaths

Deadly air pollution comes from surprising sources, but toxicity of different types is still up in the air.

Animals

Shipwreck provides window into Tudor-era cod fishing

In the 1500s, England was feeding its navy with fish caught far from home, a new study finds.

Environment

Molting seals shed mercury along with fur

Seals spew amassed mercury when they shed, creating hotbeds of pollution in otherwise pristine coastal environments.

Environment

Latest BPA replacement seeps into people’s blood and urine

Replacements for BPA called BPS and BPSIP may raise health risks for cashiers.

Microbes

Bacteria in flowers may boost honeybees’ healthy gut microbes

Honeybees may deliver doses of probiotics to the hive to help feed baby bees’ microbiome.

Environment

Dust components may promote obesity

Fat dust bunnies may contain obesity-boosting chemicals.

Environment

Fracking doesn’t always go to great depths

Fracking at shallow depths is unexpectedly common in the United States and raises new concern for drinking water contamination.

Life

Alison Jolly’s last book chronicles efforts to save lemurs

In ‘Thank You, Madagascar,’ primatologist Alison Jolly, who spent decades studying lemurs, provides an insider’s account of the struggles that conservationists face.

Environment

Oil-munching microbes cleaning up Gulf marshes faster than expected

Microbes in some of Louisiana’s marshes are breaking down oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill faster than expected.