May 07 Early humans used fire to permanently change the landscape By Jessica Thompson, David K. Wright, Sarah Ivory, The Conversation Combining evidence from archaeology, geochronology and paleoenvironmental science, researchers identified how ancient humans by Lake Malawi were the first to substantially modify their environment. Continue reading
May 06 Biden's plan would boost conservation of U.S. lands, waters By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The plan would purify drinking water, increase green space, improve access to outdoor recreation, restore healthy fisheries, reduce the risk of wildfires and recognize the "oversized contributions" of farmers, ranchers, forest owners, fishers, hunters, rural communities and tribal nations. Continue reading
May 05 Watch 6:26 Waiving vaccine patent rights may be the 'only way' to end the pandemic By William Brangham President Biden announced that the U.S. will support waiving patent rights for the COVID vaccines — a major move that follows a call domestically, and internationally, for America to provide much quicker and greater assistance to the rest of the… Continue watching
May 05 What a massive solar flare on a nearby star could mean for alien life By R. O. Parke Loyd, The Conversation Astronomers just measured the largest flare ever from Proxima Centauri, humanity's closest neighboring star. These flares could be bad news for life trying to develop on a planet orbiting the star. Continue reading
May 03 Watch 6:52 Do I need to replace my AC or fridge? Understanding the new EPA rule on Hydrofluorocarbons By John Yang, Diane Lincoln Estes The EPA on Monday announced a new rule that targets a greenhouse gas that's common but probably not too familiar to many Americans: Hydrofluorocarbons. These gases are widely used in home and commercial refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. John… Continue watching
May 03 How to turn cicada season 2021 into a science project By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas Here's how to find Brood X cicadas, and what to do next. Continue reading
May 02 SpaceX returns 4 astronauts to Earth; rare night splashdown By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press SpaceX safely returned four astronauts from the International Space Station on Sunday, making the first U.S. crew splashdown in darkness since the Apollo 8 moonshot. Continue reading
Apr 29 Watch 8:38 HHS Sec. Becerra on bipartisanship, health care and immigration By Amna Nawaz The Biden administration on Wednesday laid out a $1.8 trillion American Families Plan, which focuses on child care and education. As President Biden pushes these sweeping new policies, he's relying on his cabinet secretaries to help in the negotiation effort. Continue watching
Apr 29 Watching a coral reef die in a warming ocean By Sam Purkis, The Conversation Scientists watched in real time as rising ocean heat transformed the sprawling reef. It was a harbinger for ecosystems everywhere as the planet warms. Continue reading
Apr 29 U.S. agency to look at bringing back bison on Montana refuge By Matthew Brown, Associated Press The remote landscape of badlands and prairie is bisected by the Missouri River. Bison historically roamed the area but were wiped out by overhunting across most of North America in the late 19th century. Continue reading