Earth

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- Oceans
Deep-sea mining could imperil rare, ghostlike octopus
A newly discovered octopus lays its eggs in a dangerous spot: where companies are looking to mine valuable metals for use in cell phones and computers.
- Fossils
What killed the dinosaurs?
New evidence is emerging that a devastating combo of events — an asteroid impact and supervolcanoes — may be behind the dinosaurs’ demise.
- Earth
Drilling into a dinosaur killer
An asteroid that hit the Earth 66 million years ago killed off the dinosaurs. Now scientists are drilling into the giant crater left behind.
- Oceans
Climate change could stall Atlantic ocean current
Rising carbon dioxide concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere could disrupt the Atlantic Ocean current after all, a new analysis finds.
- Earth
Meet our trashy ‘technosphere’
People are creating a layer of debris and disturbance called the technosphere. A new study estimates just how truly massive it is.
By Beth Geiger - Climate
Earth breaks heat record for third year straight
Climate change and heat from a strong El Niño played roles in making 2016 the hottest year on record.
- Archaeology
Cool Jobs: Hunting surprises in thinning glaciers
Meet three scientists who are tracking the meltdown of Earth’s glaciers. They share their adventures, predictions and unexpected discoveries.
By Beth Geiger - Health & Medicine
Extreme survival: Managing the deadly cold
Extreme cold can cause frostbite, hypothermia — even death. Knowing the risks can help keep you safe even when it’s freezing cold.
By Susan Moran - Health & Medicine
Seven tips for staying safe in frigid weather
Maps? Check. Water? Check. Insulating clothes? Check. Here’s the checklist to consult before planning to trek out in the frigid cold.
By Susan Moran - Oceans
Massive ice shelf is poised to break off of Antarctica
A fast-growing crack in Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf could soon release a truly huge hunk of ice into the ocean.
- Climate
Feverish climate is melting glaciers, study confirms
Dwindling glaciers are “categorical evidence of climate change,” a new study affirms.
- Genetics
World’s tallest corn towers nearly 14 meters
Short nights and a genetic tweak helped novel corn reach record heights.