Earth and Human Activity

Environment

Cleaning clothes dirties oceans

Washing polyester fabrics sends plastics to sea.

Chemistry

Plant-powered plastics

Scientists are using green materials to create more Earth-friendly plastics.

Environment

Swirling seas of plastic trash

Long-lasting oceanic garbage threatens marine life.

Animals

Changing climate alters fish behavior

Study finds clownfish don’t swim away from scary sounds in future ocean conditions.

Animals

An enemy in the cave

Bats under attack from a fungus send scientists searching for clues to solve a deadly mystery.

Oceans

Life beneath the ‘berg

Scientists find Antarctic icebergs play a new and bigger role in the climate cycle.

Health & Medicine

Sunlight worsens jet pollution

Chemical reactions caused by the sun’s rays worsen air pollution from idling jets at airports.

Animals

Big fish in troubled waters

Overfishing cuts number of large predator fish in the ocean.

Oceans

Sea changes

Carbon dioxide is making the oceans more acidic.

Materials Science

Battery powered to heal

With its own first-aid kit, this battery can really keep going.

Environment

Floor of Gulf got slimed

Oil from BP spill was likely dragged down by bacterial goo.

Earth

Quake leaves destruction, fear

In Japan, an earthquake started a tsunami that caused a nuclear disaster.