Earth

Physics

Explainer: Winds and where they come from

Temperature and pressure are critical factors affecting why the wind blows where it does. Understanding the nature of wind can teach us a lot about weather.

Chemistry

Changing toothpastes? Change your toothbrush

Scientists have found that toothbrush bristles absorb triclosan, then release the potentially toxic chemical when users switch toothpastes.

Climate

Scientists at last link some extreme weather to human activities

Scientists say that research shows several of 2016’s extreme weather events would never have happened without the help of human-caused climate change.

Animals

Escaping narwhals can freeze and flee at the same time

Narwhals’ heart rates plummet while diving quickly to get away from people. The combination may stress the whales as human activity increases in the Arctic.

Earth

Water waves can have literally seismic impacts

Certain types of seismic waves are generated by waves on large lakes. These ground waves could be used to map fault zones or to monitor ice cover in polar lakes.

Earth

Explainer: Seismic waves come in different ‘flavors’

Earthquakes generate several different types of seismic waves, some more damaging than others

Earth

Hot on the trail of Antarctic meteorites

For intrepid scientists, spotting meteorites against Antarctica’s dazzling whiteness is easy. Then what?

Climate

Wacky winter dumps snow on every single U.S. state

Here’s a look at the meteorology behind the unusual winter weather that hit the United States in late 2017 and early 2018.

Earth

Giant volcanoes lurk beneath Antarctic ice

One of the largest volcanic areas on Earth was recently discovered hiding beneath West Antarctic’s ice sheet. What does it spell for the future of that ice?

Ecosystems

Here’s why scientists have been fertilizing the Arctic

For more than 30 years, scientists have been fertilizing small parcels of Arctic tundra. Here’s what happens when you push an ecosystem to the brink.

Plants

Explainer: The fertilizing power of N and P

Two elements — nitrogen and phosphorus — help plants grow. When the soil doesn’t have them, farmers might add them in the form of fertilizer.

Climate

Revisit 2017’s most important stories

The year was full of major scientific events and discoveries, from the finding of a new continent to a solar eclipse witnessed by millions.