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Climate

How to curb the climate heating by contrails

Contrails are narrow clouds left behind in the sky by jets. They add to climate change. But a new study suggests a way to curb their contribution.

Animals

Scientists Say: Echolocation

This word describes a method that some animals use to sense their environments by making sounds and listening for their echoes.

Environment

Here’s one way to harvest water right out of the air

Need water but you have no access to rain, lakes or groundwater? Materials known as metal-organic frameworks could be used to slurp that water from the air, new data show.

Health & Medicine

How much do masks help against COVID-19?

There’s a range of masks available to the public. From purchased to home-made coverings, all should help — some a lot more than others.

Health & Medicine

Six foot social-distancing will not always be enough for COVID-19

To avoid COVID-19, keeping a 6-foot social distance is a good rule of thumb. But for plenty of instances, that might not be nearly far enough.

Agriculture

Let’s learn about trees

These long-lived woody plants provide shade for people, homes for animals — and help protect the planet against climate change.

Ecosystems

Check out the communities of bacteria living on your tongue

Bacteria scraped off the tongue offer a window into how the microbes structure their communities.

Earth

Let’s learn about the Arctic

The far North is a mix of vast tundra and icy waters, filled with interesting creatures, from tiny zooplankton to huge polar bears.

Brain

Sleep helps teens cope with discrimination

Good sleep helps teens better deal with racial and ethnic discrimination.

Earth

Scientists Say: Ring of Fire

This horseshoe-shaped path on the fringes of the Pacific Ocean holds most of the world’s active volcanos and earthquake sites.

Environment

Legos could last a disturbingly long time in the ocean

By looking at toys washed up on beaches, scientists have estimated how long it takes hard plastics to break down in the oceans. And it’s a long time.

Chemistry

Batteries should not burst into flames

Because lithium-ion batteries power modern life, they need to store a lot of energy. Now scientists are focusing on making them safer.