How's the Carbon Stacking Up? NOAA Says CO2 Has Passed Its Mark

Medicine & Technology May 08, 2015

The latest human first has chilling consequences for our species, and all others: for the first time since scientists began tracking global carbon dioxide concentrations in our atmosphere, we have surpassed 400 parts per million worldwide.

A Wintry Affair—How Oregon's Lost Lake Disappears

May 06, 2015

The volcanic roots of Oregon's Mount Hood National Forest become evident each year when the mysterious Lost Lake vanishes. Near the Hoodoo Ski Area, the water of Lost Lake escapes through a hole on the north shore like water down a drain.

AS GLOBAL TEMPERATURES RISE, SPECIES MAY PLUMMET

May 03, 2015

As if submersion of coastal communities by rising sea levels weren’t bad enough, scientists have recently added another frightening repercussion to climate change: the loss of species. Scientists are still quibbling over the number of species that may perish with rising temperatures, some claiming zero while others predicting a whopping 54%. In an effort to refine the predictions, Marc Urban, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, has crunched the numbers, and although his results don’t spell the end for over half the world’s species, the numbers are still frightening.

Extremely Hot Days—Why One Study Is Saying that Global Warming is to Blame

Apr 28, 2015

Climate change is already causing heat waves and other extreme weather events around the world. Now, a new study has confirmed that these types of extreme events will only get worse and as much as 75 percent of the planet's "moderate daily hot extremes" can be tied to climate change.

Could Excess Carbon Dioxide Be Coming From The Trees? New Forest Models Predict CO2

Apr 28, 2015

For several years now researchers have come to find a perplexing missing amount of carbon dioxide in their data. Models have repeatedly missed the mark, and though researchers don’t exactly know where all of the carbon emissions are coming from and where they are going, many assumed that the answer had to lie in the ‘sink’ of the world’s oceans. But now researchers at the Imperial College London are finding that perhaps the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide has something to do with forests—or rather, what humans leave behind.

Aid Arrives in Nepal: Who Was First on the Scene

Apr 27, 2015

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, International rescue and relief teams have begun to converge on Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. Rescuers continue to poor in to the city even as hope fades that more survivors will be found. The quake that hit on Saturday has now been reported to have claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people.

Neonicotinoid-Laced Nectar Proves to Be Addictive Additive for Bees

Apr 27, 2015

For bees jonesing for their next fix, fate could be a little messy with their newest addictions. In a new study published this week in the journal Nature, researchers conducted experiments to find out just how new pesticides are affecting bee foraging behavior. And what they found is that humans aren’t the only ones addicted to small bits of nicotine—bees crave it too.

Aftershock Measuring Magnitude 6.7 Rocks Earthquake Ravaged Nepal

Apr 27, 2015

A magnitude 6.7 aftershock has rocked the already earthquake ravaged Nepal, sending residents of Kathmandu running for safety and triggering even more avalanches on Mount Everest. This latest aftershock struck north east of Kathmandu near the Nepal border with China at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Earthquake in Nepal Levels Building Killing Hundreds

Apr 25, 2015

A powerful earthquake struck in Nepal on Saturday near its capital, Katmandu, flattening many sections of the city's historic center trapping dozens of people in a 200-foot watchtower that crumbled into a pile rubble.

Introducing the Pocket Shark

Apr 24, 2015

Researchers studying the feeding habits of sperm whales ended up finding more than they could have expected when they came across on the second ever known specimen of an incredibly rare and very small shark dubbed the "Pocket Shark." The first pocket shark was discovered 36 years ago near Peru but hasn't been seen since.

Yellowstone Supervolcano Keeps Getting Bigger

Apr 24, 2015

Yellowstone may be one of the most pristine places you can visit filled with streams, grasslands, wildlife and more, but underneath the surface you will find one of the largest volcanoes on the planet. According to a team of researchers from the University of Utah, the supervolcano is larger than originally believed and it is growing.

Do Mosquitos Prefer You? Your Genes May Tell You.

Apr 23, 2015

Have you thought for some time now that mosquitos seem to be attracted to you over everyone else? According to a new study, you may be right and your genes could actually tell you if mosquitos prefer your blood over someone else's.

Celebrate Earth Day with NASA

Apr 22, 2015

Today is the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, and to celebrate NASA has planned a series of activities to celebrate the beauty of our little corner of the galaxy.

Survival of the Cutest? Uncharismatic Endangered Species Receive Unequal Funding

Apr 20, 2015

It seems when it comes to saving endangered species, there is a giant inequality in the investment of resources with species that aren't considered as cute or "charismatic" receiving more funding compared to species that simply aren't.

With a Snapshot Researchers Reveal That Bouvier’s Red Colobus Monkeys Survived Extinction

Apr 20, 2015

With the death of three endangered sperm whales last week, the news this week surrounding conservation efforts has been rather bleak. But with the snap of a flash and a near-perfect picture moment, researchers in the Congo’s newest national park are turning the tide. And the announcement of a long-lost species comes with even better news—it appears that there’s a baby on-board too for the field researchers’ record-breaking findings.