Feb 21 How do whales sing? Scientists point to a specialized voice box that other animals don’t have By Maria Cheng, Associated Press A newly published study says whales have a specialized voice box that isn't seen in other animals. The study was too tiny to be definitive, but experts say the discovery will direct future research into how whales communicate. Continue reading
Feb 19 Quasar with black hole at its center may be brightest object in the universe, astronomers say By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press This distant quasar shines 500 trillion times brighter than our sun, and its black hole is more than 17 billion times more immense than our sun. Continue reading
Feb 17 Watch 6:12 How a new space race could be harming the Earth’s atmosphere By John Yang, Harry Zahn According to data from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, 2023 was a record year for launching satellites, probes, landers and more into space. But scientists worry those plumes of exhaust trailing behind rockets could be scattering harmful… Continue watching
Feb 17 Japan successfully sends new H3 rocket into orbit in key test after last year’s failed debut By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan's flagship H3 rocket reached orbit and released two small observation satellites in a key second test following a failed debut launch last year, buoying hope for the country in the global space race. Continue reading
Feb 14 Analysis from Japan’s lunar spacecraft could shed light on moon’s origin By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press A Japan space agency official says an unmanned spacecraft that landed on the moon last month has captured and transmitted data analyzing 10 lunar rocks, a greater-than-expected achievement. Continue reading
Feb 12 Landmark report details how human activities can disrupt animal migrations By Bella Isaacs-Thomas Habitat destruction, pollution, unsustainable hunting and fishing, and climate change are among the ways people are disrupting routes migratory species traverse each year, pushing some to the brink of extinction. Continue reading
Feb 08 These pansies are evolving to rely less on pollinators. Here’s why that may spell trouble By Bella Isaacs-Thomas Pollinator populations have plummeted across the globe. In their absence, research has shown that flowering plants can evolve to rely more heavily on themselves to reproduce. Continue reading
Feb 08 PHOTOS: Icelandic volcano begins erupting again, spewing lava and cutting off heat and hot water By Marco Di Marco, Associated Press A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Thursday for the third time since December, sending jets of lava into the sky. Continue reading
Feb 03 Watch 8:39 Conservationists take drastic measures to save coral reefs from climate change By William Brangham, Winston Wilde, Sam Weber Coral reef ecosystems support a quarter of all marine life on Earth, but they are slowly dying under the relentless stresses of overfishing, pollution, disease and climate change. As part of our ongoing series “Saving Species,” William Brangham dives into… Continue watching
Feb 03 What is an atmospheric river? A hydrologist explains the good, the bad and how they’re changing By Qian Cao, The Conversation Forecasters warn of dangerous conditions as another powerful atmospheric river takes aim at California. While these storms are dreaded for the damage they can cause, they are also essential to the region’s water supply. Continue reading