Earth & Environment
A star’s death throes involves a lot of kicking
Imagine being nudged again and again by thousands of tiny shoves, each one barely perceptible alone, until they add up to a steady drift...
Crocodile brains have barely changed in 100 million years, new study finds
Crocodiles are often called "living fossils," and a new study suggests that description may be more accurate than ever.
Scientists have discovered that the brains...
Why the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool turned green—and why it matters for America’s drinking...
When the famous Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., suddenly turned bright green, many people were surprised.
The unusual color quickly became national news....
New solar hydrogen system converts over 31% of sunlight into clean fuel
Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in the future of clean energy because it can store renewable electricity and produce no carbon...
Scientists turn plastic bottles into high-quality battery material
A plastic bottle that would normally end up in a recycling bin or landfill could one day help power electric cars, smartphones, and renewable...
Australia’s farmland at risk of ‘ecological collapse’
Australia may need to fundamentally redraw its rural landscape — retiring farms, restoring vast tracts of vegetation and reshaping regional economies — if it...
Lost giant shark fossils confirm megalodon could reach an incredible 80 feet
Scientists have rediscovered a set of giant fossil bones that belonged to the famous prehistoric shark, the megalodon.
The fossils had been missing for decades,...
Solar storms may reduce rain and snow across North America, study warns
Scientists have discovered new evidence that powerful solar storms may briefly affect Earth's weather.
A new study suggests that after a large solar storm, some...
Europa’s ice shell secrets unlocked by ground radar study
Jupiter’s moon, Europa, has become high-value real estate for astrobiologists and the search for life beyond Earth.
This is because the small moon, which is...
Hidden museum fossil solves a 5-million-year-old saber-toothed cat mystery
A fossil that sat unnoticed in a museum drawer for decades has turned out to be one of the most important discoveries about the...
Scientists turn plastic bottles into clean hydrogen using only sunlight
Plastic waste is one of the world's biggest environmental problems. Millions of tons of plastic end up in landfills, rivers, and oceans every year,...
New printable cooling technology could replace harmful refrigerants
Air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps help keep our homes, workplaces, and food cool. However, the refrigerants they use can create environmental and safety...
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Organic molecules found in this Martian meteorite are not from the Earth, shows study
Organic molecules found in a meteorite that hurtled to Earth from Mars were synthesized during interactions between water and rocks that occurred on the...
Is there really a 1 in 6 chance of human extinction this century?
In 2020, Oxford-based philosopher Toby Ord published a book called The Precipice about the risk of human extinction. He put the chances of “existential...
Warren Buffett: My View about Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because...
Sea ice’s cooling power is declining faster than expected, new study reveals
A new study led by scientists from the University of Michigan has found that the cooling power of sea ice is decreasing much faster...
Five simple tips for better cybersecurity
With news of hacking attempts and data breaches, protecting your information online can seem like a daunting task.
However, some simple steps can reduce your...
Planting more trees may reduce 33% of deaths caused by higher temperatures
One-third of premature deaths attributable to higher temperatures in European cities during the summer of 2015 could have been prevented by increasing urban tree cover to 30%.
Scientists discover safe, effective way to end termite infestations
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have discovered a new chemical treatment that could be a game-changer for battling drywood termites.
These pests, known...
Social isolation during COVID-19 boosts cryptocurrency investment by 75%
Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have found that social isolation during the COVID-19 lockdowns led to a 75% increase in cryptocurrency...