Earth & Environment

New Low-Cost Leaf Spray Helps Tomatoes Thrive in Salty Soil, Study Finds

A simple and inexpensive leaf spray could help tomato plants grow better in salty soils, offering farmers a promising new way to protect crops...

Cameras attached to whale sharks capture krill chases never witnessed before

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus)—the world's biggest fish—are one of the most charismatic marine species. They connect with the hearts of anyone lucky enough to encounter...

1.4-Million-Year-Old Footprints Reveal Giant Human Relative and Surprising Social Life

A remarkable set of fossil footprints discovered in Kenya is giving scientists a rare look at how one of humanity's ancient relatives lived more...

Spring daylight saving time may raise the risk of eye disease

Changing the clocks for daylight saving time may do more than make people feel tired. A new study suggests that the one-hour time change could...

Could Purple Corn Replace Artificial Food Dyes?

A special type of purple corn may soon help replace artificial food dyes in many foods and drinks, according to new research from the...

1789 Smallpox Epidemic May Have Killed Up to 220,000 Indigenous Australians, Study Finds

A new study has used computer modeling to provide one of the clearest pictures yet of the devastating smallpox epidemic that struck Indigenous Australians...

Fossilized wood preserved 300 million years of Earth’s history

Most people think of fossilized wood as an attractive stone displayed in museums or sold as a decorative souvenir. However, scientists have now discovered that...

Did the dinosaur-killing asteroid really shape tuna evolution?

For years, many scientists believed that the asteroid impact that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago also helped shape the evolution...

How School Air Pollution Could Affect Children’s Health for Years to Come

When parents think about air pollution, they often worry about asthma or coughing. However, a large European study suggests that dirty air may also quietly...

This clever parakeet helped design its own perch

Most products made for pets are designed entirely by humans. But what if animals could help design the things they use? A new project suggests...

Ancient Monsoons Created a Spectacular Dinosaur Fossil Site

Around 80 million years ago, a stretch of tropical coastline in what is now northeastern Italy was lashed by monsoon rains and tropical cyclones. Those...

Ancient marine animals began living in empty shells 470 million years ago

Around 470 million years ago, life in Earth's oceans took an important evolutionary step when marine animals began moving into empty seashells for the...

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Shark mystery: Who killed the pregnant porbeagle?

In a twist straight out of a marine mystery novel, scientists have discovered that large sharks may be hunting each other. The evidence? A tracking tag...

The ocean’s warning: A closer look at a climate threat

In the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, scientists have uncovered signs of a looming climate threat that could have dramatic effects on weather patterns...

Humans were using horses thousands of years earlier than thought

Horses have shaped human history in powerful ways, from ancient travel and trade to warfare and exploration. Now, new research suggests that humans started using...

Green neighborhoods may boost your heart health

In a new study from the University of Miami, researchers found people who live in green neighborhoods are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. They...

Ancient DNA reveals an early African origin of cattle in the Americas

Cattle may seem like uniquely American animals, steeped in the lore of cowboys, cattle drives and sprawling ranches. In a study funded in part by...

What different shaped skis do and do not influence

From the biathlon to the slopestyle to the giant slalom, raising a ski above your head after crossing the finish line is the triumphant...

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...

Scientists discover possible planet around closest sun-like star to Earth

In a thrilling development, astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence for a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A—one of the...