Earth and Human Activity

Environment

Clothes dryers may be a major source of airborne microplastics

Scientists thought washing machines were a leading contributor of microplastics. Now it appears dryers may be an even bigger problem.

Science & Society

Let’s learn about the science of the Winter Olympics

From scientific innovations to climate change and weather, there’s plenty of science to be found among the feats of amazing athleticism.

Genetics

DNA in air can help ID unseen animals nearby

Analyzing these genetic residues in air offers a new way to study animals. It could give scientists a chance to monitor rare or hard to find animals.

Earth

The ‘Doomsday’ glacier may soon trigger a dramatic sea-level rise

The ice shelf that had kept it in place could fail within five years. That would speed the glacier’s slip into the ocean, boosting a rise in sea levels.

Environment

Recycling a climate-warming gas could make ‘greener’ farmed fish

Instead of warming the climate, methane gas can be collected to help farmers. Along the way, it may also save some fish.

Life

In blazing heat, some plants open leaf pores — and risk death

When heat waves and droughts collide, water is precious. Some thirsty plants try to cool off by opening tiny pores — only to lose water even faster.

Chemistry

Could reusable ‘jelly ice’ cubes replace regular ice?

These hydrogel “jelly ice cubes” are made mostly of gelatin and water. They won’t melt, even when thawed, and may provide new food cooling options.

Animals

Rewilding returns lost species to strengthen ecosystems

Restoring the missing species can help undo human-caused problems by aiding forests, slowing climate change and reducing wildfires.

Life

Explainer: What is an invasive species?

These foreign organisms hitchhike, spread widely and stir up trouble in native ecosystems.

Earth

Climate change is upping the height of Earth’s lower atmosphere

The upper edge of the troposphere, the slice of sky closest to the ground, rose 50 to 60 meters (165 to 200 feet) a decade from 1980 to 2020.

Animals

As the tropics warm, some birds are shrinking

Migratory birds are getting smaller as temperatures climb, studies had showed. New evidence shows dozens of tropical, nonmigratory species are, too.

Climate

Can scientists develop an icy sanctuary for Arctic life?

The final refuge for summer sea ice may also protect the creatures that depend on it. Saving it is an ambitious goal with many hurdles.