Earth

  1. Microbes

    Let’s learn about useful bacteria

    Bacteria do many useful jobs almost everywhere on Earth, from the soil to the seafloor to our stomachs.

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  2. Earth

    Get ready for the 2024 total solar eclipse

    A total solar eclipse will race across North America on April 8, 2024, providing a rare opportunity for both scientists and casual observers.

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  3. Environment

    Bottled water hosts many thousands of nano-sized plastic bits

    The finding emerges from tests of a new tool that identified smaller-than-ever tiny plastic bits in three brands of bottled water.

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  4. Science & Society

    Scientists Say: Model

    Models are representations of real-life systems or processes that we use to ask questions, make predictions and test our knowledge.

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  5. Oceans

    Analyze This: Climate change may worsen the spread of ocean noise

    Some parts of the ocean may become five times as loud in the future.

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  6. Earth

    The weird sky glow called STEVE is really confusing scientists

    Researchers are trying to figure out the recipe of atmospheric conditions that creates this aurora-like light show.

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  7. Animals

    Which way is up? Insects may lose track near artificial lights

    Flying insects may use light to figure out where the sky is. But artificial lights can send them veering off course, high-speed video suggests.

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  8. Ecosystems

    A weird upside-down world lurks beneath Antarctica’s ice

    A vast swath of ocean surrounds Antarctica, hidden under the ice. Here, strange creatures burrow into the dark underbelly of a floating glacier.

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  9. Animals

    Swimming in schools lets fish save lots of energy

    Each tail flap uses less than half as much energy than swimming solo, making it easier for fish to catch their breath after an underwater sprint.

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  10. Artificial Intelligence

    To ‘green’ AI, scientists are making it less resource-hungry

    Energy demands of ChatGPT and similar AI tools can threaten Earth’s climate. So researchers have begun redesigning how to run data centers and build AI.

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  11. Life

    Scientists Say: Ichnology

    This field of science looks to understand life — past and present — by studying how organisms altered their surroundings.

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  12. Climate

    Chemists make device to destroy planet-warming methane pollution

    It can slash diffuse sources of this extremely potent greenhouse gas, such as from livestock barns and other sites.

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