How worms shaped Earth"s biodiversity explosion
One of Earth's most consequential bursts of biodiversity—a 30-million-year period of explosive evolutionary changes spawning innumerable new species—may have the most modest of creatures to thank for the vital stage in life's history: worms......»»
Starliner’s return to Earth delayed again, until next month
The Boeing Starliner, which is currently docked at the International Space Station, will not be returning to Earth with its crew this week as planned......»»
Protected areas can boost biodiversity and local economies
Protected areas, like nature reserves, can conserve biodiversity without harming local economic growth, countering a common belief that conservation restricts development. A new study outlines what is needed for conservation to benefit both nature an.....»»
A black hole of inexplicable mass: JWST observations reveal a mature quasar at cosmic dawn
The James Webb Space Telescope observed a galaxy in a particularly young stage of the universe. Looking back into the past, it became clear that the light from the galaxy called J1120+0641 took almost as long to reach Earth as the universe has taken.....»»
Ariane 6 launches: Splashdown for Nyx Bikini
Europe's newest rocket soon launches, taking with it many space missions each with a unique objective, destination and team at home, cheering them on. Whether launching new satellites to look back and study Earth, peer out to deep space or test impor.....»»
Human activity: A double-edged sword in the face of drought
Earth and environmental scientists have reported that, as human socio-economic activities increase, greenhouse gas emissions will rise, leading to more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. However, a research team from Pohang.....»»
Exploring the roots of the Anthropocene
Understanding how tropical land use and deforestation affects the dynamics of the global Earth system and identifying potential tipping points are key to the future of our species on this planet. By exploring the long history of human societies in tr.....»»
What happened when NASA simulated an asteroid hitting Earth
NASA ran the world's most dramatic roleplay, simulating what would happen if a dangerous asteroid were spotted on a collision course with the planet......»»
Why scientists are intrigued by air in NASA"s Mars sample tubes
Atmospheric scientists get a little more excited with every rock core NASA's Perseverance Mars rover seals in its titanium sample tubes, which are being gathered for eventual delivery to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. Twenty-four h.....»»
Citizen scientists gather eDNA in water samples for global biodiversity census
Kara Andres, a postdoctoral fellow with the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in St. Louis, collected samples of water from Simpson Lake, in Valley Park, Mo., as part of a coordinated global effort to use environmental DNA—genetic.....»»
Defunct satellites burning up in the atmosphere could damage the ozone layer
Communications companies such as Starlink plan to launch tens of thousands of satellites into orbit around Earth over the next decade or so. The growing swarm is already causing problems for astronomers, but recent research has raised another questio.....»»
Groundbreaking discovery: How researchers found remnants of Earth"s primordial crust near Perth
Our planet was born around 4.5 billion years ago. To understand this mind-bendingly long history, we need to study rocks and the minerals they are made of......»»
New training programs will prepare astronauts to perform medicine while thousands of miles away from Earth
In the coming decade, more people will go to space than ever before as human spaceflight enters a new era. NASA, the European Space Agency and other governmental agencies are partnering to develop crewed missions beyond the moon. At the same time, th.....»»
How glacier algae are challenging the way we think about evolution
People often underestimate tiny beings. But microscopic algal cells not only evolved to thrive in one of the most extreme habitats on Earth—glaciers—but are also shaping them......»»
Earth"s atmosphere is our best defense against nearby supernovae, study suggests
Earth's protective atmosphere has sheltered life for billions of years, creating a haven where evolution produced complex lifeforms like us. The ozone layer plays a critical role in shielding the biosphere from deadly UV radiation. It blocks 99% of t.....»»
Much of the Nord Stream gas remained in the sea after 2022 explosion, finds study
Much of the methane released into the southern Baltic Sea from the Nord Stream gas pipeline has remained in the water. This is shown by measurements taken by researchers from the University of Gothenburg......»»
Ohio train derailment caused chemical pollution falling to Earth"s surface across the US and beyond, study reveals
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters reveals that the environmental impact of the February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train accident in East Palestine, Ohio covered a very large geographical area. Inorganic pollutants re.....»»
Will climate change turn the Arctic green?
The Arctic is in the hotseat of climate change, warming four times faster than anywhere else on Earth......»»
Boeing Starliner return to Earth set for June 26
NASA and Boeing are targeting a June 26 return to Earth of the Boeing Starliner from the International Space Station, officials said Tuesday......»»
City sprawl is now large enough to sway global warming over land
Just how much heat does city sprawl add to large-scale warming? That's one longstanding question researchers sought to answer in a new study recently published in the journal One Earth......»»
In the hunt for a second Earth, look to small planets, says new research
Scientists around the world are constantly on the hunt for planets outside our solar system that could potentially provide a habitable environment for life......»»