Earth and Human Activity

Materials Science

Laser light transformed plastic into tiny diamonds

The technique could be used to make nanodiamonds for quantum devices and other technology.

Plants

No sun? No prob! A new process might soon grow plants in the dark

Teamwork makes green-work! Collaborating scientists came up with an electrifying farming trick that could make sunlight optional.

Tech

Scientists Say: LED

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, light up TV screens, traffic lights and many other devices used in daily life.

Climate

Heat waves appear more life-threatening than scientists once thought

This is bad news as a warming planet leads to growing numbers of excessive heat waves — and millions more people facing potentially deadly temperatures.

Chemistry

Simple process destroys toxic and widespread ‘forever’ pollutants

Ultraviolet light, sulfite and iodide break down these PFAS molecules faster and more thoroughly than other methods.

Earth

Uplifting Antarctic shores point to accelerating loss of glaciers

It appears the Pine Island and “Doomsday” Thwaites glaciers are losing ice — and shrinking faster — than at any time in the past 5,500 years.

Animals

Some Greenland polar bears are surviving with very little sea ice

The ‘glacial mélange’ on which they’ve come to rely — a mix of ice, snow and slush — could be a temporary refuge for some polar bears.

Animals

Palm-size marsupials may face extinction from wild ‘house’ cats

After surviving Australian bushfires, the Kangaroo Island dunnart is losing ground as it's targeted by hungry predators.

Animals

Let’s learn about amphibians

Amphibians are named after the Greek word for “double life” because many transform from water dwellers to landlubbers as they grow up.

Climate

Coastal cities around the world are sinking, satellite data show

Of 99 coastal cities studied, nearly one-third are sinking. This leaves coastal communities increasingly vulnerable to rising seas.

Chemistry

Reusable plastic bottles release hundreds of pollutants into water

Data show the plastic ends up tainting drinking water. For now, scientists don’t know what health risks downing these pollutants might pose.

Environment

Bubbles could help remove trash from rivers

One young engineer devised a way to make bubbles sweep away the trash floating down a creek, like the one in her backyard.