Earth

Climate

A rainforest once grew near the South Pole

A forest flourished within 1,000 kilometers of the South Pole. That was a while ago, as in millions of years ago.

Environment

This ‘living’ concrete slurps up a greenhouse gas

Microbes help harden a mix of sand and gelatin into a living concrete that could interact with people and the environment in great new ways.

Earth

Scientists Say: Jurassic

During this time from about 200 million to 145 million years ago, dinosaurs reigned and many animals evolved, including birds and some early mammals.

Physics

Explainer: Rainbows, fogbows and their eerie cousins

Light shining through a water droplet can make more than just a rainbow. A range of other colorful arcs also can develop.

Animals

How to find the next pandemic virus before it finds us

Wild animals carry viruses that can sicken people. Monitoring those viral hosts that pose the greatest risk might help prevent a new pandemic.

Climate

Climate change drove Australian wildfires to extremes

Australia’s devastating 2019–2020 wildfires were at least 30 percent more likely because of human-caused climate change.

Climate

How to curb the climate heating by contrails

Contrails are narrow clouds left behind in the sky by jets. They add to climate change. But a new study suggests a way to curb their contribution.

Environment

Here’s one way to harvest water right out of the air

Need water but you have no access to rain, lakes or groundwater? Materials known as metal-organic frameworks could be used to slurp that water from the air, new data show.

Agriculture

Let’s learn about trees

These long-lived woody plants provide shade for people, homes for animals — and help protect the planet against climate change.

Earth

Let’s learn about the Arctic

The far North is a mix of vast tundra and icy waters, filled with interesting creatures, from tiny zooplankton to huge polar bears.

Earth

Scientists Say: Ring of Fire

This horseshoe-shaped path on the fringes of the Pacific Ocean holds most of the world’s active volcanos and earthquake sites.

Environment

Legos could last a disturbingly long time in the ocean

By looking at toys washed up on beaches, scientists have estimated how long it takes hard plastics to break down in the oceans. And it’s a long time.