Earth and Human Activity

Tech

A new solar-powered gel purifies water in a flash

The unusual, fruit-inspired structure of this material provides quick filtration that could satisfy people's daily water needs.

Health & Medicine

How to be heat-safe when playing sports

Protecting young athletes from overheating is getting more important as climate change turns up the temperature.

Chemistry

Chemists have unlocked the secrets of long-lasting Roman concrete

By searching ancient texts and ruins, scientists found a concrete recipe that could make buildings stronger — and help address climate change.

Environment

Sea life may suffer as plastic bits alter metals in water

This interplay between plastics and metals could affect how each affects the environment — and suggests opportunities for controlling their risks.

Climate

Here’s how to increase clean energy without harming wildlife

Wind farms, solar panels and more take up land and may harm wildlife. Researchers are working to resolve this conflict.

Agriculture

Native Amazonians make rich soils — and ancient people may have too

Modern Amazonians make nutrient-rich soil from ash, food scraps and burns. The soil strongly resembles ancient “dark earth” found in the region.

Physics

A powerful laser can control the paths that lightning takes

In a mountaintop experiment, a laser beamed at the sky created a virtual lightning rod that snagged several bolts.

Tech

Think of this new tech as sunglasses for our windows

Keeping buildings cool can use a lot of energy. Thanks to quantum computing, engineers designed a coating to cut the warming light that enters windows.

Climate

Creating less new stuff could greatly help Earth’s climate

Instead of throwing unneeded things away, scientists recommend moving to a cycle of reducing, reusing, repairing and remaking old things into new ones.

Materials Science

Let’s learn about piezoelectric materials

Piezoelectric materials turn mechanical energy into electrical energy — and vice versa.

Physics

In a breakthrough experiment, fusion gave off more energy than it used

The sun creates energy through nuclear fusion. Now scientists have too. This achievement raises hopes for developing a new type of clean energy.

Archaeology

Carvings on Australia’s boab trees reveal a people’s lost history

Archaeologists and an Aboriginal family are working together to find and document a First Nations group’s lost ties to the land.