Earth

Environment

Food web woes

If sharks disappeared from the oceans, rays might thrive, but shellfish would probably suffer.

Environment

Hazy with a chance of sunshine

Air pollution may reduce rainfall.

Earth

Petrified lightning

Sand turned into glass by a lightning strike can provide clues about ancient climates.

Environment

Life under ice

Researchers unexpectedly find a community of sea creatures in the ocean beneath an ice shelf.

Environment

Shrimpy invaders

A shrimplike creature that has invaded the Great Lakes could spell big trouble for young fish.

Environment

Earth-friendly fabrics

Shirts made from bamboo, socks made from corn, and jackets made from chicken feathers may be in your fashion future.

Environment

To catch a dragonfly

Dragonflies are giving researchers new ways to think about relationships among animals.

Earth

The Pacific Ocean’s bald spot

A large swath of seafloor at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean lacks sediment.

Earth

Bugs with gas

Microbes living in sand under the sea may produce gases such as propane.

Climate

Hot summers, wild fires

Rising temperatures and earlier snowmelts in the western United States have intensified forest fires.

Oceans

Surf watch

Figuring out the waves and the wind is an important part of surfing.

Environment

Pollution detective

A science fair project tackles contaminated drinking water and mosquito growth.