Earth & Environment

Five things to know about rare earth elements

Aside from oil, rare earth elements may be the most buzzworthy thing coming out of the ground these days. Headlines trumpet news about new partnerships...

A sleeping giant awakens: Japan’s Kikai volcano is slowly refilling with magma

Scientists have discovered that one of the most powerful volcanoes in Earth’s recent history is slowly building up magma again—more than 7,000 years after...

Scientists discover lost ice age world beneath Texas cave

A surprising discovery deep inside an underwater cave in Texas has revealed a hidden snapshot of life from the Ice Age. A paleontologist from the...

Why winter could be the most dangerous season for your heart

Many people worry about heat waves and rising temperatures, but new research suggests that cold weather may be a greater danger to heart health. A...

Not so lonely after all: Bull sharks choose friends and form social bonds

Sharks are often seen as solitary and dangerous animals that roam the ocean alone. But new research is challenging that image. A long-term study of...

A tiny “ion pump” could make clean water cheaper and power future technologies

Scientists have developed a new kind of device that can move charged particles through water using very little energy—and without any moving parts. This breakthrough...

Study finds surprising cancer link between cats and humans

A large new study has made an exciting discovery about cancer in cats, and it may also help improve how we treat cancer in...

Earth was already moving 3.5 billion years ago, study finds

The story of our planet is written in the slow movement of its surface. Over billions of years, shifting tectonic plates have shaped continents, opened...

Why fashion keeps coming back: Scientists find a 20-year style cycle

Have you ever noticed that old fashion trends seem to come back? Bell-bottom jeans, miniskirts, and vintage styles often return after disappearing for years. Many people...

Are ‘designer’ dogs really better? New study questions popular beliefs

“Designer” crossbreed dogs like cockapoos, cavapoos, and labradoodles have become very popular pets in recent years. Many people believe these dogs are easier to train,...

Neanderthals might have treated infections 50,000 years ago

Neanderthals, our ancient human relatives, may have been more skilled in health care than we once thought. A new study suggests that they could have...

QLD GPs face barriers in supporting VAD, shows QUT study

Queensland general practitioners provide compassionate, holistic care to patients seeking voluntary assisted dying (VAD), but many face significant hurdles that limit their capacity to...

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Scientists uncover ancient Aztec trade networks through obsidian artifacts

New archaeological research led by Tulane University and Mexico's Proyecto Templo Mayor has unveiled the extensive trade networks of the Aztec Empire, known as...

Escaped pet parrots are now naturalized in 23 U.S. states, study finds

Monk parakeets normally forage in grassy areas, but they survive Chicago's harsh winters by switching exclusively to backyard bird feeders from December to February. When...

A new ally in the fight against ticks: ant pheromones

As spring unfolds and nature lovers step outside to enjoy the warmer weather, they're not alone. The black-legged ticks, notorious carriers of Lyme disease,...

Will our clean air last after COVID-19? New study says it is possible

Since millions of Californians began staying at home and off the roads in March, air quality in the Golden State has visibly improved. Once life...

Why do grocery stores donate food? Because they make more money. Here’s how

Donating to food pantries does wonders for the public image of grocery store chains.

Scientists find the link between home chemical storage and ALS disease

In the past ten years, a team from the University of Michigan has been studying how being around harmful chemicals affects our health. They've been...

The ground in cities is deforming, but our buildings aren’t ready

A recent study from Northwestern University has uncovered a link between underground climate change and the shifting ground beneath urban areas. As temperatures rise, the...

Fruit fly larvae can sense electric fields—and it might change science

Fruit flies are already famous in science. They've helped researchers make discoveries in genetics, aging, and brain function. Now, scientists at UC Santa Barbara have...