Basic Research

Winter waves off of California are getting higher as the climate changes, research finds

By Julie Watson, Associated Press

The research shows average winter wave heights have grown by as much as a foot since 1970, when global warming is believed to have started accelerating.

New species of ancient whale found in Peru may be heaviest animal ever, scientists say

By Maddie Burakoff, Associated Press

A new species of ancient whale might be the heaviest animal ever found. Scientists reported Wednesday that the creature could challenge the blue whale's title as the heaviest animal to live on Earth.

Massive wildfire threatens iconic Joshua trees despite progress taming the flames

By Ty O'Neil, Stefanie Dazio, Rio Yamat, Associated Press

Firefighters aided by rain fought to contain a massive blaze that swept through the California desert into Nevada and are threatening the region's famous spiky trees.

80 percent of humans on Earth had hotter July due to climate change, scientists find

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

A new quick study finds that human-caused global warming made July hotter for four out of five people on Earth.

Who was Henrietta Lacks? Here’s how HeLa cells became essential to medical research

By Ivan Martinez, The Conversation

On Aug. 1, 2023, over 70 years after doctors took Lacks’ cells without her consent or knowledge, her family reached a settlement with biotech company Thermo Fisher.

Blue blood from horseshoe crabs is needed for medicine, but a declining bird species relies on the crabs to eat

By Patrick Whittle, Associated Press

The animals are drained of some of their blood and returned to the environment, yet some inevitably die. Regulators say recent revisions to the guidelines for handling the animals should keep more alive through the process.

Get ready to catch a double supermoon feature this August. Here’s when to look

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

The last time two full supermoons graced the sky in the same month was in 2018. It won’t happen again until 2037, according to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project.

July is globe’s hottest month in recorded history

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said the Earth’s temperature has been temporarily passing over a key warming threshold: the internationally accepted goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, or 2.7 degrees…

South Florida water temperature hits triple digits, may have set world record for warmest seawater

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

The water temperature on the tip of Florida hit hot tub levels, exceeding 100 degrees two days in a row, which meteorologists say could potentially be the hottest seawater ever measured.

Summer of record-breaking heat paints story of a warming world, scientists say

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

With a summer of extreme weather records dominating the news, meteorologists and scientists say records like these give a glimpse of the big picture: a warming planet caused by climate change.