Science

This New York river dumps millions of fabric microfibers into the ocean daily

By Teresa Carey

The Hudson River dumps 300 million microfibers into the Atlantic Ocean each day, according to a new study. Invisible to the naked eye, these fibers can cause health problems for animals and humans.

Why Hurricane Harvey became so extreme

By Mark Fischetti, Scientific American

A meteorologist explains the science behind why Hurricane Harvey produced so much rain, got stuck over Texas and reversed direction.

Daddy longlegs risk life, and especially limb, to survive

By Elliott Kennerson, KQED Science

Not pulling your leg here: When attacked, daddy longlegs deliberately release their limbs to escape.

Scientists found 91 volcanoes under Antarctica. Here’s what they might do

By Synclaire Cruel

The volcanoes are located in the West Antarctic Rift System, a 2,200-mile valley created by separating tectonic plates.

Column: I was an Exxon-funded climate scientist

By Katharine Hayhoe, The Conversation

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe has a unique perspective on ExxonMobil’s deliberate attempts to sow doubt on the reality of climate change because she was there.

Interior Department calls for changes to national monuments but offers no details. Here’s how we got here

By Nsikan Akpan

Interior secretary Ryan Zinke called Thursday for a “handful” of changes to 27 national monuments that have been under review since this spring. The 120-day review, set in motion by an executive order from President Donald Trump, was due…

Gut microbes found in hunter-gatherers shift with the seasons

By Teresa Carey

The gut microbes of the Hadza, Tanzanian hunter-gatherers, shift with the seasons, according to a new study. Applied on a longer timescale, these patterns might explain why industrialized populations have less diversity in their gut microbiomes and more chronic disease…

Academic study concludes Exxon Mobil misled on climate change

By PBS News Hour

Exxon Mobil has been criticized for allegedly hiding what it knew about the perils of climate change. Now researchers from Harvard University have published a study alleging that the oil and gas giant tried to systematically mislead the public about…

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Millions of skygazers marvel at a historic American eclipse

By PBS News Hour

With special eye glasses or homemade boxes, tens of millions of people looked to the sky above the United States to witness a sight not seen in a lifetime: a total eclipse of the sun visible from coast to coast.

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WATCH: Total eclipse crosses the continental U.S.

By Nsikan Akpan

For those unable to visit a spot on the 3,000-mile-long, 70-mile-wide path of totality, you’re in luck. In partnership with NOVA, NewsHour will be streaming the solar eclipse event all afternoon.