Earth

Climate

Antarctica’s melting speeds up

Antarctica’s ice has been melting faster in the last five years. This has raised the world’s oceans almost 8 millimeters on average.

Chemistry

‘Thirdhand’ smoke can hitchhike to non-smoking sites

Harmful “thirdhand” smoke — the type that attaches to surfaces — can hitch a ride on airborne particles or clothes and travel into non-smoking buildings.

Climate

Tropical cyclones are getting more sluggish

Hurricanes and other storms are traveling more slowly than they used to. That might mean even more rainfall for communities they batter.

Climate

Hurricane Maria’s Puerto Rican death toll skyrockets 72-fold

The death toll had been just 64 — and then scientists launched household surveys. Those showed the “official” toll was off by more than 4,500.

Environment

Analyze This: Beauty products are big sources of urban air pollution

In cities, a larger share of urban air pollution comes from the use of bath products, cleansers and more than does the burning of fossil fuels.

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.

Environment

Scientist tackles water pollution with epic swims

German chemist Andreas Fath swam the entire Tennessee River — in record time. The reason was not to win a place in the Guinness Book of Records. He wanted to raise awareness about water pollution.

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.

Earth

Scientists Say: Stratigraphy

Stratigraphy is a branch of geology that looks at how rock layers are organized to understand how the world has changed over time.

Agriculture

Barnyard science: Check out this fowl research

New research shows how to store eggs, insulate homes with chicken feathers and slow fires with shells.

Chemistry

Bioplastics could put some shrimp in your Barbie

Teen researchers are looking to natural materials like shrimp shells and banana peels to make plastics ecofriendly and biodegradable.

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.