Earth and Human Activity

Environment

For a better brick, just add poop

Sewage sludge. Cow dung. They’re not just waste — scientists are finding uses for processed poop in construction materials.

Climate

Green energy is cheaper than fossil fuels, a new study finds

Switching over to clean, renewable power — and away from fossil fuels — could save trillions of dollars by 2050, a new study finds.

Climate

Explainer: What is decarbonization?

Lowering carbon levels in our atmosphere to stabilize the climate may start with switching from fossil fuels to greener energy sources.

Chemistry

Explainer: All about carbon dioxide

Animals and other life on Earth exhale carbon dioxide, which plants use for photosynthesis. But too much of this gas can perturb Earth’s climate.

Tech

Underwater cameras get a new power source — sound!

Needing no batteries, a new digital camera can run almost continuously to offer new, deeper insights into the ocean world.

Environment

Microplastic pollution aids viruses and prolongs their infectivity

The tiny plastic bits give these germs safe havens. That protection seems to increase as the plastic ages and breaks into ever smaller pieces.

Earth

Fossil-fuel use is confusing some carbon-dating measurements

Carbon-14 dating of recent artifacts will soon give scientists confusing results. That’s another price society pays for its reliance on fossil fuels.

Climate

Greenland’s inland ice is melting far faster than anyone thought

Inland melting of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream is accelerating — and may contribute far more to sea level rise than earlier estimates suggested.

Animals

Study finds big drop in animal populations since 1970

But the same thing is not happening throughout the kingdom. For instance, more than half of vertebrate populations are stable or increasing.

Animals

Cougars pushed out by wildfires took more risks around roads

After an intense burn in 2018 in California, big cats in the region crossed roads more often. That put them at higher risk of becoming roadkill.

Animals

Cars hit more deer in the week after daylight saving time ends

In the days right after most Americans turn back the clock, vehicle crashes with deer increase by 16 percent, a new study shows.

Environment

This chemist uses online videos to teach about the perils of microplastics

Imari Walker says her journey as a scientist and science communicator lets her talk about and advocate for her passion.