Earth and Human Activity

Environment

Old clothes soon may be recycled, not trashed

One day, clothes may be recycled almost as much as plastics and glass are now. See how chemists are moving us in that direction.

Chemistry

Here’s how to make flip-flops biodegradable

Innovative flip-flops made from an algae-based plastic decompose in soil or compost. The comfy shoes also avoid use of fossil fuels.

Animals

Around the world, birds are in crisis

Human activities around the world are threatening bird species. Numbers of even some of the most common species are starting to fall.

Climate

Surprising long-haul dust and tar are melting high glaciers

Dust and tar blown onto high mountains, like the Himalayas, boost the melting of snow and ice far more than scientists had realized. Here’s why.

Computing

Explainer: What is an algorithm?

These step-by-step instructions underlie social media, internet searches and other computer-based activities. But what are they exactly? We explain.

Animals

Polluting microplastics harm both animals and ecosystems

Researchers are beginning to uncover the real-world impacts of polluting microplastic bits on animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Agriculture

Learning what stresses queen bees could save their hives

Beehives often die off after the queen gets too stressed to make enough babies. New tests could identify what stressed her — and point to solutions.

Agriculture

Student scientists work to help all of us survive a warmer world

From glaciers in the refrigerator to a rover in the field, here’s how young scientists are looking to help us adapt to climate change.

Climate

The faster trees grow, the younger they die

As climate change spurs forest tree growth, it also shortens trees’ lives. That results in a quicker release of climate-warming carbon back into the atmosphere.

Environment

Washing your jeans too much might pose risks to the environment

Jeans shed thousands of denim fibers in every wash. Those fibers, and the chemicals used to treat them, now are showing up in even the Arctic Ocean.

Climate

Changing climates can take cooling tips from warm regions

When summer heat waves hit northern cities, people might look to keep cool using tropical building strategies — and forgotten architectural wisdom.

Chemistry

How to recycle ‘nonrecyclable’ plastics

A new process can convert some nonrecyclable plastics into a type that now can be reused. That could greatly cut down on wastes sent to landfills.