EARTH909 articles archived since 1845

Science News from around the World

Here are some brief reports about science and technology from all over, including one from Israel about what DNA reveals about the Dead Sea Scrolls’ parchment. 

A New Arctic Is Emerging, Thanks to Climate Change

After years of warning, sea ice coverage and other indicators are beginning to push outside the bounds of the former “normal” climate

Global Biodiversity Is in Free Fall

A U.N. report reveals that countries worldwide have failed to meet key conservation targets set for 2020

Earth Hasn’t Warmed This Fast in Tens of Millions of Years

Chemical analyses of ancient sediments allowed scientists to put together one of the most comprehensive climate histories of the planet

Some Dinosaurs Probably Nested in Arctic

The finding of a baby dinosaur fossil in the Arctic implies that some dinos nested in the region, which was milder than today but not toasty.

Death by Lightning Is Common for Tropical Trees

A study estimates that 200 million trees in the tropics are mowed down by lightning annually.

Science Briefs from around the World

Here are some brief reports about science and technology from all over, including one from Antarctica about how there’s something funny about penguin poop.

Antarctica’s Ice Shelves May Be at Growing Risk of Collapse

Surface melting that causes fractures in the ice could threaten more than half of the continent’s floating ice platforms

Extreme Heat Exposure Could Really Ramp Up in U.S. Cities

Unchecked climate change, urban development and population rise could all contribute to more people being exposed to punishing heat

How to Mine the Oceans Sustainably

Deep-sea minerals, including nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt, are crucial to building clean-energy technologies

Our Planet, Our Choice

With Fires, Heat and a Cyclone, Arctic Breaks Melting Record

Sea ice loss could ultimately beat the record low season of 2012

In Bee Shortage, Bubbles Could Help Pollinate

Soap bubbles are sticky enough to carry a pollen payload and delicate enough to land on flowers without harm.

Seismologists Find the World Quieted Down during Pandemic Lockdowns

COVID-19-related lockdowns dampened human activity around the globe—giving seismologists a rare glimpse of the earth’s quietest rumblings. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Old Art Offers Agriculture Info

Art museums are filled with centuries-old paintings with details of plants that today give us clues about evolution and breeding practices.

How COVID-19 Decreases Weather Forecast Accuracy

Meteorologists take advantage of weather data collected by commercial jetliners at different altitudes and locations. Fewer flights mean less data.

Worst- and Best-Case Scenarios for Warming Less Likely, Groundbreaking Study Finds

The research narrows the range for how much Earth’s average temperature may rise if CO₂ levels are doubled

Warning: Atmosphere Could Burst into Flames

Originally published in August 1846

Invisible Ether Evolved with Time

Originally published in November 1904

With Sea Level Rise, High-tide Flooding Spikes Along U.S. Coasts

Fifteen communities set records for the number of days with such floods last year