Earth
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EarthAnalyze This: Not all races saw equal improvements in this air pollutant
Levels of one U.S. air pollutant, NO2, have dropped over time. But neighborhoods with predominantly non-white residents saw smaller improvements than did those that were mostly white.
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EarthMiddle-school scientists take home big prizes
Top finalists in the 2017 Broadcom MASTERS competition shared awards worth $100,000.
By Sid Perkins -
ClimateIs weather control a dream or nightmare?
Weather control is largely fiction for now, although people are unintentionally changing their weather. And that might not be a good thing.
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ClimateExplainer: Weather and weather prediction
The sun and Earth combine to create the planet’s weather systems. And science is getting good at predicting what they’ll do.
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EarthAir pollution takes a toll on solar energy
Air pollution can rob the light needed for solar panels to make electricity. In India and China, the percent solar energy losses can reach double digits.
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ClimateDid Maria set another U.S. rainfall record?
Weather scientists are investigating whether Maria set another U.S. record for flooding rainfalls.
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EarthExpedition finds South Pacific plastic patch bigger than India
A giant, floating ‘garbage patch’ in the South Pacific off Chile’s coast is mostly tiny bits of plastic.
By Ilima Loomis -
AnimalsLight pollution can foil plant-insect hookups
An experiment in remote European meadows shows that light pollution at night can affect the pollination of flowers — even into sunlight hours.
By Susan Milius -
ClimateScientists Say: Weather bomb
Weather doesn’t just affect the air. Huge storms can send waves of pressure through the Earth as well.
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ClimateHere’s why Irma caused some coastal water to temporarily go missing
The first sign of an impending storm surge — and serious danger — may be the sudden, wholesale retreat of water from coastal beaches.
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ClimateFive portraits of Hurricane Irma’s record-breaking fury
A series of remarkable images capture Hurricane Irma’s power and might — and the lessons they can teach scientists.
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ChemistryRecycling urine may be a way to boost plant growth
A new chemical method makes nutrient-rich fertilizers from human urine.