Ecosystems

Environment

Don’t flush your contact lenses

One in five people who wear contact lenses flush their used eyewear down the sink or toilet. That plastic pollutes the environment and can harm wildlife.

Oceans

New tools aim to better predict blooms of toxic algae

Scientists across the United States are developing programs that can predict when blooms of toxic algal may occur.

Ecosystems

Surprise! Fire can help some forests keep more of their water

In California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, a century of fire suppression has led to forests with too many trees. But areas thinned by fire now show one benefit: more water.

Animals

Deep-sea expedition led researchers to doomed octopus nursery

The ill-fated octopods may be a sign that a healthy population is hiding nearby.

Ecosystems

A robotic fish could help mangroves grow

Reforested mangroves don’t always grow well. To figure out why, two teens built a robotic mudskipper to measure the mud.

Environment

‘Boot camp’ teaches rare animals how to go wild

Animals raised in captivity cannot safely re-enter the wilds without first understanding how to find food and avoid becoming a predator’s lunch. Scientists are helping some species learn this.

Oceans

Small swimmers may play huge role in churning the seas

Hoards of migrating shrimp and krill can cause large-scale water movements in the ocean, a new study suggests.

Plants

Scientists Say: Invasive species

These are foreign species that are causing problems for native organisms and ecosystems.

Ecosystems

Exploring the mysteries of Cuba’s coral reefs

Researchers are studying the mysterious lives of creatures in and near Cuba’s coral reefs. What they learn could help protect ocean life globally.

Ecosystems

Migrating crabs take their eggs to the sea

Cuba’s colorful land crabs connect swamp and sea with their yearly mass migrations. Protecting their routes can help other animals too.

Genetics

Can DNA editing save endangered species?

Scientists may be able to help endangered species by changing the genes of a whole population of wild animals. But some question whether that is wise.

Plants

Blooms on ‘chocolate’ tree are crazy-hard to pollinate

The cacao trees must be pollinated or those seeds that give us chocolate will never form. The rub: The trees’ flowers challenge all but some of the tiniest pollen-moving insects.