Viewpoint: What the Anthropocene"s critics overlook, and why it really should be a new geological epoch
Geologists on an international subcommission recently voted down a proposal to formally recognize that we have entered the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch representing the time when massive, unrelenting human impacts began to overwhelm the Earth.....»»
Astronomers discover newborn galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope
With the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers are now able to peer so far back in time that we are approaching the epoch where we think that the first galaxies were created. Throughout most of the history of the universe, galaxies se.....»»
Two new species of ancient primates resembling lemurs identified
Fossil evidence from the Tornillo Basin in West Texas and the Uinta Basin in Utah reveals two new species of omomyids—a family of small-bodied early primates from the Eocene epoch. The findings also clarify previously disputed taxonomic distinction.....»»
Six new species of Western Australian trilobites discovered
Six new species of trilobites have been found deep underground in the Canning Basin of Western Australia. Dr. Patrick Smith at the Australian Museum and Heidi Allen from Geological Survey of WA tell us how this discovery has reshaped our understandin.....»»
Researchers study the depths of the Sierra de Atapuerca
Josep M. Parés, coordinator of the Geochronology and Geology Program at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), is the co-leader of a geological study published in the journal Marine and Petroleum Geology. The rese.....»»
Balancing budget and system security: Approaches to risk tolerance
Data breaches are a dime a dozen. Although it’s easy to look at that statement negatively, the positive viewpoint is that, as a result, cybersecurity professionals have plenty of learning moments. Learning what went wrong and why can be a good sani.....»»
Our planet is burning in unexpected ways—here"s how we can protect people and nature
People have been using fire for millennia. It is a vital part of many ecosystems and cultures. Yet human activities in the current era, sometimes called the "Anthropocene," are reshaping patterns of fire across the planet......»»
Melting ice likely triggered climate change 8,000+ years ago
Using geological samples from the Ythan Estuary in Scotland, scientists have identified a melting ice sheet as the probable trigger of a major climate-change event just over 8,000 years ago......»»
Google extends Chromebook support from 8 years to 10 after heightened backlash
Automatic Chromebook expiration dates are "fundamentally flawed," critics say. Enlarge (credit: Bloomberg/Getty) Google announced today that it's extending Chromebooks' automatic update support from 8 years to 10 years f.....»»
Viewpoint: The illegal killing of 265 trees on Sydney"s North Shore is not just vandalism. It"s theft on a grand scale
In most illegal tree removals, you might see perhaps a handful of trees removed or poisoned. That's why the recent felling and poisoning of 265 old trees in Sydney's Castle Cove has been so breathtaking and appalling......»»
Clay formation prolonged global warming event 40 million years ago, according to new biogeochemical model
Global warming is not solely a modern-day occurrence but has been a prominent feature of Earth's geological history for millennia. One such event occurred approximately 40 million years ago, lasting ~400,000 years, known as the Middle Eocene Climatic.....»»
Discovering enhanced lattice dynamics in a single-layered hybrid perovskite
Layered hybrid perovskites show diverse physical properties and exceptional functionality; however, from a materials science viewpoint, the co-existence of lattice order and structural disorder can hinder the understanding of such materials. Lattice.....»»
Viewpoint: Without more research and guardrails, geoengineering is a costly gamble, with potentially harmful results
When soaring temperatures, extreme weather and catastrophic wildfires hit the headlines, people start asking for quick fixes to climate change. The U.S. government just announced the first awards from a US$3.5 billion fund for projects that promise t.....»»
Best Amazon TV deals: Cheap TVs under $100
If you're shopping for a new television, don't overlook Amazon. These Amazon TV deals have just what you need......»»
The Kids Online Safety Act isn’t all right, critics say
Critics warn KOSA could trigger widespread censorship, privacy concerns. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Debate continues to rage over the federal Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which seeks to hold platfor.....»»
Deep cycling of carbon and chlorine were likely flipped in Earth"s early history, new research suggests
New research led by Macquarie University earth scientist Dr. Chunfei Chen sheds new light on geological processes from up to three billion years ago and marks a significant shift in the scientific community's understanding of the early Earth......»»
Discovery of two new specimens suggests Hupehsuchus was an ancient filter feeder
A combined team of paleontologists and geoscientists from China University of Geosciences and Hubei Geological Bureau, both in China, working with a colleague from the University of Bristol, has found more evidence suggesting that the ancient marine.....»»
Viewpoint: The oil industry has succumbed to a dangerous new climate denialism
If we have not been warned of the dangers of climate change this summer, we never will be. Extreme heat, forest fires and floods have been all over news reports. Yet the oil and gas industry remains largely in denial......»»
Prized 750-ton rain tree moved to new home—critics fear it won"t survive.
A majestic rain tree has lived through 100 years of nasty weather, surviving torrential flooding, fierce storms and powerful hurricanes. But some worry the landmark tree won't survive its latest test, a journey of 50 feet that moved it closer to the.....»»
Viewpoint: Oil and gas sector"s low compliance with methane regulations jeopardizes Canada"s net-zero goals
Regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an important part of Canada's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, a newly published study by our team of researchers at St. Francis Xavier University illustrates why regulation is only.....»»
Get the "forever chemicals" out of our drinking water
A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly half of the drinking water in the United States is contaminated with "forever chemicals," the per- and polyfluoroakyl substances known as PFAS that can cause cancer and other health compl.....»»