Environment

Health & Medicine

Pollution mucks up the lungs’ immune defenses over time

A study of immune tissue in the lungs reports that particulate matter buildup from air pollution may impair respiratory immunity in older adults.

Animals

These devices use an electric field to scare sharks from fishing hooks

SharkGuard gadgets work by harnessing sharks’ ability to detect electric fields. That could save the animals’ lives, a study suggests.

Climate

Wind turbines could help capture carbon dioxide while providing power

Turbulent wakes from wind turbines can concentrate CO₂ from cities and factories, making it easier to remove the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.

Earth

Landslides shaped a hidden landscape within Yellowstone

Scientists have used lasers to get a detailed view of the national park’s topography, and they’ve spotted more than a thousand landslides.

Environment

Heat waves in U.S. rivers are on the rise. Here’s why that’s a problem

In recent years, heat waves in U.S. rivers have gotten more frequent, causing trouble for fish, plants and water quality.

Animals

Tree-climbing carnivores called fishers are back in Washington’s forests

Thanks to a 14-year reintroduction effort, fishers, or “tree wolverines,” are once again climbing and hunting in Washington’s forests after fur trapping and habitat loss wiped them out.

Climate

Climate change could turn some blue lakes to green or brown

As temperatures rise, more than 1 in 10 of the world’s blue lakes could change color, reflecting holistic shifts in lake ecosystems.

Climate

Gas flares are leaking five times as much methane than previously thought

The flares burn off methane at 91 percent efficiency. Achieving 98 percent efficiency would be like taking nearly 3 million cars off the road.

Earth

Jacky Austermann looks to the solid earth for clues to sea level rise

Jacky Austermann’s work could help inform practical climate change solutions for at-risk coastal cities.

Ecosystems

‘Fen, Bog & Swamp’ reminds readers why peatlands matter

In her latest book, author Annie Proulx chronicles people’s long history with peatlands and examines the ecological value of these overlooked places.

Ecosystems

A Caribbean island gets everyone involved in protecting beloved species

Scientists on Saba are introducing island residents to conservation of Caribbean orchids, red-billed tropicbirds and urchins.

Environment

Mangrove forests expand and contract with a lunar cycle

The carbon-sequestering trees grow in a roughly 18-year cycle according to tides influenced by the moon’s orbit, a study in Australia finds.