Earth

  1. Climate

    The world is aiming for ‘net zero’ emissions of greenhouse gases

    Nations are charting how they might ‘zero’ out their releases of climate-warming gases. Success might greatly lower the risks of climate catastrophes.

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  2. Fossils

    An ancient ichthyosaur graveyard may have been a breeding ground

    Some 230 million years ago, huge dolphin-like reptiles appear to have gathered to breed in safe waters, just as many whales do today.

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  3. Environment

    Gas stoves can spew lots of pollution, even when they’re turned off

    A new study finds they can leak benzene and other harmful chemicals into homes, sometimes at very high levels.

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  4. 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.

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  5. Earth

    Analyze This: Salt may quash lightning over the sea

    Bits of airborne salt may help raindrops form, removing water from clouds before it can freeze as part of the process that makes lightning.

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  6. 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.

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  7. 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.

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  8. 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.

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  9. 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.

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  10. 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.

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  11. Physics

    Explainer: Radiation and radioactive decay

    Like clockwork, radioactive forms of some elements shed parts of themselves as they attempt to become nonradioactive.

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  12. Physics

    Explainer: Radioactive dating helps solve mysteries

    Knowing the decay rate of radioactive elements can help date ancient fossils and other artifacts.

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