Earth & Environment
These five roadblocks are standing in the way of energy-efficient homes
We all want homes that keep us warm in winter and cool in summer, without breaking the bank.
However, Australian homes built before 2003 have...
Your smartphone is a parasite, according to evolution
Head lice, fleas and tapeworms have been humanity's companions throughout our evolutionary history.
Yet, the greatest parasite of the modern age is no blood-sucking invertebrate....
Scientists uncover secrets of a mysterious wall in the Mongolian Desert
A team of international archaeologists has made an exciting discovery about one of Asia’s least understood ancient structures—the Gobi Wall.
Stretching over 320 kilometers across...
Scientists discover chimpanzees use stones to make sounds—possibly to communicate
A new five-year study has revealed that wild chimpanzees in West Africa may be using stones to communicate with one another.
This remarkable behavior, documented...
Scientists discover iron powder can clean toxic ‘forever chemicals’ better than carbon
Researchers have found that a common and inexpensive material—iron powder—can clean up dangerous "forever chemicals" from water even better than the material most water...
Glaciers won’t bounce back for centuries—even if global warming is reversed, scientists say
A new international study has delivered a sobering message: once Earth warms beyond the critical 1.5°C limit, even temporarily, many of the world’s glaciers...
How giant ground sloths got so big—and why that was their downfall
Sloths today are known for being slow, small, and tree-loving creatures. But their ancient relatives were nothing like them.
In fact, many extinct sloths were...
Why and how do ants walk in a perfect line
In the world of ants, order isn’t optional.
These tiny insects live in colonies with millions of others, working together as a team to forage,...
Why your teeth are sensitive—and it started 465 million years ago
If you’ve ever flinched during a cold drink or a dental cleaning, you know that our teeth can be incredibly sensitive.
That sensitivity is thanks...
What ‘no tax on tips’ really means for service workers—and everyone else
The broad tax package passed by House Republicans last week includes a bill that would eliminate federal income taxes on tips, advancing a key...
Clean water in 5 minutes? New invention makes it possible
Scientists in South Korea have created a powerful new material that can clean dirty water quickly and efficiently—without needing electricity.
This new technology not only...
Scientists confirm dinosaur eggshells had self-grown crystals, just like modern reptiles
A new international study has confirmed that a mysterious feature found in dinosaur eggshells—called secondary eggshell units (SEUs)—are natural biological structures, not just the...
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How to stay motivated – or make peace without it
Distraction is everywhere.
From endless emails to countless meetings, it can easily zap motivation.
Ongoing research shows there are ways to protect motivation, and maybe even...
Common chemical in dry cleaning is linked to 5 times higher risk of Parkinson’s
In a study from the University of Rochester and elsewhere, scientists suggest that a common and widely used chemical may be fueling the rise...
Tire dumps and aging mattresses may soon be relics of the past
Despite research and policy efforts, recycling initiatives have skidded on more complex materials like tires and mattresses, filling dumps and natural land across the...
This dinosaur may have been the last of its kind
A newly discovered plant-eating dinosaur, Iani smithi, may have been the “last gasp” of a species during a period when Earth’s warming climate forced...
Why Earth didn’t grow to super-Earth in early solar system
Before the solar system had planets, the sun had rings — bands of dust and gas similar to Saturn’s rings — that likely played...
Researchers find common plant could ease food shortages
Carolina azolla, a water plant native to the eastern U.S., is emerging as a promising solution to some of the world's most pressing challenges,...
How our groundwater use actually tilts the Earth!
According to a study from Seoul National University, by pumping large amounts of groundwater, we've managed to nudge the Earth's spin!
Your parents’ drinking habits may increase your food addition risk
Scientists from the University of Michigan found that people with a parent with a history of alcohol problems are at greater risk for showing...