Earth and Human Activity

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.

Health & Medicine

Your bloodstream may be littered with the plastic you’ve eaten

For the first time, scientists have found plastic particles circulating in human blood. No one yet knows whether those polluting bits might pose a risk to health.

Chemistry

Let’s learn about cellulose

The world’s most abundant natural polymer is finding all kinds of new uses, in everything from ice cream to construction.

Earth

Scientists Say: Atmosphere

An atmosphere is an envelope of gas around a planet, dwarf planet or moon.

Science & Society

This sun-powered system delivers energy as it pulls water from the air

The device not only produces electricity but also harvests water for drinking or crops. It could be especially useful in remote and dry parts of the world.

Environment

Night lights make even the seas bright

Light from coastal cities and offshore development may shine deep enough to disrupt tiny critters living dozens of meters (yards) below the surface.

Chemistry

Ponds made to control floods can spew climate-warming gases, study finds

Younger stormwater ponds can release more carbon in gases than they absorb, a study finds. That could aggravate global warming.

Environment

Analyze This: Corals stash microplastics in their skeletons

Scientists have wondered where the ocean’s microplastic pollution ends up. Corals may trap about 1 percent of particles in tropical waters each year.

Climate

A bold plan to save the planet turns carbon dioxide into stone

Scientists hope that capturing carbon dioxide this way will limit both further warming of our planet and an escalation of extreme weather events.

Climate

UN report calls for two-pronged approach to slow climate impacts

The latest IPCC climate change report underscores an urgent need for action to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.

Chemistry

A disinfectant made from sawdust knocks out deadly microbes

It’s made by pressure-cooking sawdust and water, is cheap and easy to make — and could lead to greener cleaning products than chemicals used today.