Earth and Human Activity
- Animals
First living fish leaves ‘endangered’ list
Twenty-one years ago, a minnow facing a high risk of extinction was placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List. With help from scientists, the fish appears to have largely recovered. It’s the first ‘listed’ fish to do so.
- Life
Caught in the act
Scientists observe some evolutionary speed demons as they adapt over the course of just a few years to new environmental conditions.
- Animals
Explainer: People can sicken animals
Wildlife can sometimes become infected with germs shed by people.
- Chemistry
Explainer: Ocean acidification
Here’s why shellfish and other animals in the sea suffer when the ocean is forced to absorb too much carbon dioxide.
- Climate
Watching our seas rise
Satellites, coral reefs, ancient Roman fishponds and sinking cities help us understand how humans are changing sea level.
- Climate
Dirty clouds change rainfall
Scientists find a link between air pollution and extremes in rainfall.
- Animals
Tiny earthworms’ big impact
Invasive earthworms change North American landscapes, for better or worse.
- Climate
Did Columbus contribute to a Little Ice Age?
Scientist shows a surprising link between the explorer and a dip in temperatures.
- Chemistry
DEET confuses mosquitoes
Scientists suspect the repellant messes with a mosquito’s sense of smell.
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- Chemistry
Plant-powered plastics
Scientists are using green materials to create more Earth-friendly plastics.
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