Earth & Environment
Air conditioners alone can’t beat extreme heat, scientists warn
As the world gets hotter, air conditioners are becoming more important than ever.
They help people stay safe during heat waves and can even save...
How giant glaciers moved massive rocks across the Alps 24,000 years ago
Thousands of giant rocks scattered across Switzerland have puzzled people for centuries.
Many of these huge boulders are sitting far from the mountains where they...
,000-year-old child’s skull found in Norwegian cave reveals secrets of early farmers
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a young child who lived about 4,000 years ago in a cave on Norway's west coast.
The remarkable discovery...
An extended barrage of asteroid impacts made Earth too hot to form continents
The formation of continents was an important step in Earth's history.
Continents and plate tectonics are connected to the planet's habitability, and the same is...
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...
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Ancient dinosaurs could help unlock the secrets of cancer
New research suggests that dinosaurs may help scientists make important discoveries about cancer.
By using new technology to study soft tissue preserved in dinosaur bones,...
Why Tiger Shark bites peak in Hawaiʻi each October
For years, surfers and ocean-goers in Hawaiʻi have talked about “Sharktober,” a time when shark encounters seem more common.
Now, scientists say the pattern is...
Six reasons why people enjoy horror movies
The creeping shadows and haunting decorations transform the everyday into something eerie at Halloween.
And you might be thinking about scaring yourself with a good...
Pirouettes and palpitations: Ballet dancer’s irregular heartbeat went undiagnosed for years
Even as a teenager, Edson Barbosa could sometimes feel his heart beating extremely fast during rehearsals.
It didn't seem normal. But as a competitive ballet...
Why can’t I distill liquor at home?
Have you ever wanted to make your own bourbon?
Don’t!
The process might be relatively simple- heat a fermented liquid and keep only the...
Why chicken farms are a breeding ground for antibiotic resistant bacteria
At chicken farms, there's an invisible threat growing more dangerous by the day: antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Scientists from the University of Nottingham have made a breakthrough...
Are cities making us sick? Humans are wired for nature, not modern life, study...
Humans may feel at home in cities, but our bodies tell another story.
According to a new study by evolutionary anthropologists Colin Shaw from the...
Global study reveals keys to effective climate change communication
A new tool designed to enhance global climate change awareness and encourage action has been developed by an international team of scientists, showcasing messaging...