Science

Earth’s Atmosphere Faces ‘Thirstwaves,’ Scientists Warn

Earth’s Atmosphere Faces ‘Thirstwaves,’ Scientists Warn

Scientists have coined the term “thirstwaves” to describe extended periods of atmospheric thirst when the Earth’s atmosphere more readily takes up moisture from the planet’s surface. This new term differs from droughts or heatwaves. During thirstwaves, the Earth’s atmosphere could take more water from soil and plants, prompting concerns over how these periods could affect […]

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    Mercury Pollution Detected in Antarctic Penguins

    Mercury Pollution Detected in Antarctic Penguins

    In a new study, scientists have confirmed mercury contamination in Antarctic penguins and are raising alarms that this pollutant and its impact on birds mimics the spread of DDT uncovered in the 1960s. Despite the lack of humans near the penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula, researchers have confirmed mercury contamination in these birds. According to […]

    Pollution From Anxiety Medications Influences Salmon Behaviors, Study Finds

    Pollution From Anxiety Medications Influences Salmon Behaviors, Study Finds

    In a new study, researchers have confirmed that pharmaceutical pollutants are influencing how Atlantic salmon behave. The study, published in the journal Science, revealed that migrating salmon exposed to a type of psychoactive medicine under the benzodiazepine class caused the fish to be more bold and take more risks during migration. Although this led to […]

    Trump Administration Ends Funding for Leading U.S. Climate Program

    Trump Administration Ends Funding for Leading U.S. Climate Program

    The Trump administration is ending funding for the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which produces the National Climate Assessment — the most comprehensive climate report by the federal government. The assessment — established by Congress in 1990 and released every four years — summarizes the impacts of global heating on the U.S. and […]

    Decarbonization Improves Most Countries’ Energy Security: Study

    Decarbonization Improves Most Countries’ Energy Security: Study

    Transitioning to clean energy and away from fossil fuels by 2060 would reduce trade risks and improve energy security for most nations, a new study has found. Rare earth minerals like lithium, copper, nickel and cobalt are “prized materials” for corporations and countries rushing to secure supplies for clean energy systems. The most concentrated natural […]

    ‘Illegal and Unconstitutional’: Trump Signs Executive Order to Block Enforcement of State Climate Laws

    ‘Illegal and Unconstitutional’: Trump Signs Executive Order to Block Enforcement of State Climate Laws

    President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued another executive order, this time with the purpose of stopping the enforcement of state climate laws. The order, “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach,” directs the United States attorney general to identify and take action to block state laws addressing climate change, fossil fuel emissions and Environmental, Social, and […]

    Researchers Find Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Home Rain Barrels

    Researchers Find Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Home Rain Barrels

    For water conservationists concerned about keeping pests out of their rain collection barrels, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have some helpful advice. A new study, published in Journal of Medical Entomology, looked into the presence of mosquitoes in rain barrels in the central Illinois region and determined the most effective ways to prevent […]